Lawrence “Larry” Praus
Our father, Lawrence “Larry” Praus, left this world on Sept. 29, 2022, at the age of 80. He will be sadly missed and will always hold a place in our hearts.
Larry was born on March 21, 1942, in Dickinson, N.D., the son of Vincent and Victoria (Pavlicek) Praus. He graduated from Halliday High School. In 1962, he married Irene Heilman and welcomed four children; Laura, Les, Sandi, and Jason. Larry was a true salesman, and loved socializing with friends and customers. Larry was a member of the Army National Guard for six years, while holding several sales jobs, which included Montgomery Ward, Stark Motor Co, and Letvin Equipment. He was also active with the Jaycees. In 1971, he purchased the John Deere dealership, Roughrider Implement, in Watford City. While there he made many friends and served on many boards and organizations including Rotary, Eagles, American Legion, Park Board, Knights of Columbus and Boy Scouts. In 1990, he moved back to Dickinson and continued his sales career selling real estate and being active with the Eagles and the Veterans Memorial. He was passionate about his family history, and enjoyed sharing his genealogy.
Larry is survived by two daughters, Laura (Jim) Karsky of Dickinson and Sandi Peppler of St George, Utah; two sons, Les (Joleen) of Dickinson and Jason (Toni) of Gillette, Wyo.; nine grandchildren, Beth (Dan) Ziman, Carissa (Tim) Baustian, Hunter (Alexis) Praus, Dillon (Zoe) Praus, Colter Praus, Cooper Peppler and Ava Praus; five great-grandchildren, Tori, Owen, Emily, Isaac and Bennett; seven brothers, David (Kathy), Jay (Vicky), Leo (Janice), Ken (Marla), Gilbert (Nancy), Louis and Vincent (Ron); five sisters, Lorraine Binstock, Darlene Frederick, Donna Jilek, Bernice Lovata and Linda (Tom) Stockert; and sister-in-law Paulette.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Joseph (infant), Marvin and Andy; four brothers-in-laws, Ray Binstock, Bob Jilek, Mel Lovata and Gerald Frederick; and one great-granddaughter Westlyn Praus.
Larry’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson. Interment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m at Ladbury Funeral Service in Dickinson, with a rosary and vigil at 6:30 p.m.