Lenagene Prafke, 83

Winnebago/Fairmont – Funeral Services for Lenagene Prafke, age 83, of Parker Oaks in Winnebago, formerly of Fairmont, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont. Burial will be held at Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont. Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 at Lakeview Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Wednesday. Those wishing to view the livestream of the service may do so at the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/6908532991. Lenagene passed away Monday evening, Oct. 11, 2021, at United Hospital District in Blue Earth. Memorials are preferred to Parker Oaks Auxiliary in Winnebago. The Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Lenagene (Swanson) Prafke was born on Dec. 24, 1937 to Oscar and Viola (Newton) Swanson in Estherville, Iowa. She received her education in Granada.

On March 1, 1955, Lenagene was united in marriage to Merlys Del “Bub” Prafke. They made their home in Granada for a short time and moved to Fairmont in 1956. In 1980, they moved back to Granada and lived on the Swanson family farm until 2010 when they moved back to Fairmont. Lenagene worked as a Quality Control Manager at Fairmont Foods and retired after 50 years in 2006.

Lenagene was a member of the Fairmont United Methodist Church and the Women’s DAV Auxiliary. Lenagene will be remembered as a hard-working matriarch of her family. Family was very special to Lenagene and she loved playing cards with them, especially spoons. She helped raise a lot of her grandchildren. Besides playing cards, Lenagene enjoyed sewing.

Those left to cherish her memory include her two daughters, Pam (Craig) Olson and Patty (Mike) Sohn; son-in-law, Mert Kutnink; grandchildren, Colby Olson, Kacey (Jim) Kasel, Travis (Becky) Cyphers, Amanda (Joey) Flohrs, AngaLena Cyphers, Aaron Traver, Tabitha Jeffries, Helena (Mike) Zea, Michalia Cyphers, Patrick (April) Prafke, Andrew Kutnink, Christopher Kutnink, Nicole Kutnink, Jason Kutnink, and Kelsey (Kutnink); twenty-two great-grandchildren; and other extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Viola Swanson; husband, Merlys Prafke; daughters, Cheryl Traver Cyphers and Lori Kutnink; and great-granddaughter, Kasey Scheff.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Parker Oaks Senior Living and United Hospital District for their compassion and care.