Obituary of Albert Prafke

B I O G R A P H Y PRAFKE: Albert “Bunt” Melvin Prafke passed away in the Maidstone Hospital, Maidstone, Saskatchewan on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at the age of 73 years. Bunt leaves to mourn his wife, Greta; three children: Heather & David Werner of Whitecourt, Alberta, Candice & George Chiga of Bonnyville, Alberta and Ryan & Lynn Prafke of New Serepta, Alberta; six grandchildren; two sisters: Betty & Ted Ortman of Humbolt, Saskatchewan and Ida & Wilf Lang also of Humbolt, Saskatchewan; besides numerous other relatives. The funeral service for Bunt Prafke was conducted from the Lashburn Community Hall, Lashburn, Saskatchewan on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend Ted Haas officiating. A eulogy was given by Jim and Ann Coolidge. Hymns sung were, “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” and “Bringing in the Sheaves,” accompanied by organist, Lorna Chappell. Special music was performed by bagpiper, Susan Stefanuk and the Lashburn Community Choir. Interment followed in the Lashburn Cemetery, Lashburn, Saskatchewan. Donations in memory of Bunt were made to the Heart and Stroke Fund or to a Charity of the Donor’s choice. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy Albert Melvin Prafke was born on May 16, 1933 at a farm near Brightsand Lake, Saskatchewan. His parents were Melvin and Elizabeth PRAFKE. As a baby, his father would hold him in his arms and sing the lullaby, “Bye Baby Bunting; Daddy’s gone a Hunting.” Thus his nickname “Bunt.” Bunt attended Sandy Ridge School in the Horse Head District near Makwa (Barthel area) for one year. Then the family moved here to the Lashburn area to farm. After completing his schooling here in Lashburn, he worked the summer on a rock crusher. After this, he did farm labor for Jack Churn and Roy Wells. Then he traveled with Don Cox to Dawson Creek, B.C. There he worked on a drilling rig, then the gas company. Bunt returned to Lashburn and went to work for a roofing company and then hauled oil in the Lone Rock area. During this time, he married Greta Ryan on June 21, 1956. This spring was their 50th Wedding Anniversary. As Bunt really liked the B.C. country, they moved back to Dawson Creek. Then he worked for a construction company building the Bay store and was foreman on a rock crusher. While at Dawson Creek, two daughters, Heather and Candy were born. A few days after Candy was born, Bunt’s uncle passed away so he moved his family back to Lashburn to help run the family farm. A son, Ryan was born to complete his family. As a father with the trials of raising a family, if anyone asked him if he’d do it over again and have kids - he’d answer, “Yes, I would have kids again, but maybe not the same ones!” He has a great sense of humor. Bunt kept beautiful, old pictures of his ancestors hanging on the walls of his home. The family tree was of great interest and importance to him. He refinished antique family heirlooms to furnish his home, putting a beautiful finish on them. Education was important to Bunt - he stressed this to all young people and he himself, never stopped learning. He enjoyed reading and had many books of poetry. When we went on trips together, we could count on Bunt to give us a history on the places we visited. For years when our families were young, we’d talk of going to the place Bunt loved, Dawson Creek and onto Dawson City. Well, a few years ago, we finally took that trip. As we drove past Lake Labarge, Bunt recited the poem, “The Cremation of Sam McGee” one of Robert Services poems. Bunt enjoyed putting unusual words into a conversation. If we acted as if we didn’t notice that word, (because we needed a dictionary) he’d find another sentence to work it into, until we finally gave up and asked him its meaning. He’d be very pleased with himself that he’d stumped us! He was an interesting conversationalist and could talk easily to young and old, strangers, friends and family alike. He had a quick wit and quick comebacks. I only caught him off guard once that he didn’t have a quick answer back. AND that stories’ better left untold! He was a quiet, laid back, patient man as you can tell by the sculpture of him. He sat many hours while my mother did the sculpture and was very proud to have been asked to sit for her project. We enjoyed teasing him that he was on a pedestal. Bunt built a house boat complete with living quarters. It ran by a paddle wheel, floated on barrels and was steered by an original helm wheel. He enjoyed sailing the waters of Turtle Lake. One night while at Turtle Lake we drove over to Loon Lake to visit friends. Bunt was looking very debonair, with his white beard and wearing a cowboy hat. During the evening the friend’s kids asked if he was Kenny Rogers. Bunt certainly reminded us of that for some time. Greta had an orchestra called the Day Breakers. We called Bunt the manager. One St. Patrick’s Day, the band was to play in the Lashburn Bar. Bunt figured he should get dressed up for the occasion as a leprechaun. So he put on a green shirt and a green leprechaun top hat. But that wasn’t enough, he decided to color his hair and beard with green food coloring. Well, after the evening of fun, he found the color wouldn’t wash out. The rest of us enjoyed that joke on Bunt. Bunt played an “E Flat Alto Horn” in the Lashburn Community Band. During the time the band was together, they were in great demand at parades. For the last few years, Bunt has been working on restoring a Cross Mount Case tractor. He was very pleased and proud the day he got it running. And the tractor got the honor of sitting in the middle of Greta’s lawn, but he really wanted to park it in the car garage. Bunt took up oil painting. He used to watch a TV program on the technique of oil painting and then he’d paint the picture. Then Bunt built a grandmother clock for Greta. He made such a beautiful job of it, each of his kids requested one. These clocks were built in three sections so they could be moved easily. After that he made his two granddaughters each a “shaker” clock. Bunt leaves behind his wife, Greta; two daughters, Heather and Candy; one son, Ryan; six grandchildren: Kelly, Christie, Kevin, Kyle, Jason and Brandon; daughter-in-law, Lynn; and two sons-in-law: David and Jordie. His family tree has grown over the years. He was proud of each of you. Christmas was very important. That was the time you were all together. He appreciated your effort to be “home for Christmas.” You were all together for Kelly’s wedding in July. What a special memory. Bunt, we have so many memories of your mischief and good times and we shared your few sad times. This last journey you had to take alone and we miss you already. Our daughter, Laurie, is unable to attend the service today, so to pay her respects, she wrote a short poem in which she tells a few of her memories: “Bunt, you were my parent’s best friend And I have many good memories, no end. Like the time I first saw the house boat I couldn’t believe that it would float. Or when Dad gave me a pet pig, the runt The look on your face when we called it, Bunt. And we’d tease that your pants would never stay Who knew, that now it’s the modern way. At band practice we’d dance with you And we’d listen to you sing a few. The memories of the four of you, will never grow thin And in our hearts, there will always be a little grin.” We would like to thank everyone for coming today, to share in the celebration of Bunt’s life and to say farewell. Good-bye Bunt. Card of Thanks The family of Bunt Prafke would like to extend our thanks and appreciation for all the flowers, food, cards, donations and kind words received. Thank you to Reverend Ted Haas, the Lashburn Community Choir and organist Lorna Chappell for the wonderful service. Thank you to Susan Stefanuk for playing the bagpipes and the U.C.W. for preparing and service lunch. A very special thank you to McCaw Funeral Service for your assistance, caring and professionalism during this time. Greta Heather & David Candice & George Ryan & Lynn and families. Donations in memory of Albert may be made to the Heart & Stroke Fund or to a Charity of the donor's choice.