Fred Prak

Fred Prak, 91, of Decatur, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2021 at Bronson Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Decatur New Hope Community Church on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place at Harrison Cemetery. Refreshments will be provided following the service at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Newell Chapel, those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.newellchapel.com. Fred was born on July 14, 1929, in Decatur, to Harm & Margaret (Stam) Prak. As a child, he grew up on his parent’s farm where he learned the value of working hard and contributing to the family. Fred dropped out of school in the eight grade to help as his older brother, Duke, was killed (at Iwo Jima) during the war. Fred was a very proud man and made up for his lack of formal education by using his God-given strength. He often said that because he didn’t graduate from high school, he had to rely on his brawn and all the lessons he learned from observing and working for his parents. Get all the work done, then go have fun. Fred once had a deer hunting trip planned, but the harvest wasn’t quite finished. He could be seen in the field the night before harvesting his potatoes by lantern light. On July 26, 1952, Fred married the love of his life, Joan Lutz, in Dowagiac. These two were an inseparable team who worked side by side in the barn, the field, or in the yard for nearly 70 years. They could be seen together walking the fields weeding the potato crop, sitting on the back porch enjoying coffee and tea, or in the stands watching his grand children playing sports. To Fred, his “three girls” – Joan, Leslie, and Laura, were the love of his life and he doted and pampered all three. A close-knit family, they would spend hours at the dinner table talking through the days events or the upcoming work that needed to be done. Fred was a truck driver for Associated Truck Lines for 35 years before retiring at the early age of 55. He was Associated’s “go to” guy who could load and unload a truck by himself. Along his truck route, he developed many friendships and because of his work ethic and personality, helped ATL gain many new contracts. Fred prided himself in that in his 35 years at ATL, he never had an accident. It was his truck driving job that allowed him to retire to the farm where he spent more than 35 years surrounded by the people and things he loved the most – raising his family on his potato farm. Fred was very outgoing and built a large customer base for his potato business. People would come from Arkansas, Mississippi, and Illinois for his potatoes. During the fall harvest, customers would visit the farm non-stop getting bags of 5, 10, 20 and 50 pound bags. It was during this time that the lessons paid great dividends and were instilled in his children. As Fred would reminisce, he would always say that he wasn’t lucky, only that he was blessed. Fred was a proud and devoted member of the former 1st Reform Church of Decatur, now known as Decatur New Hope, where he held various positions as parishioner, Deacon and Elder. Fred was an incredible man who loved his family and was always willing to help anyone when needed. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him. Fred is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Joan; daughters, Leslie Brucks of Decatur and Laura (Jim) Dybevik of Northport, MI; grandchildren, Greg (Tricia) Brucks and Alison (Kenny Freehling) Brucks; and great-grandsons, Colby and William Brucks. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brother and three sisters.