Janice (Keepf) Pralle

Janice Pralle, age 78, of Latimer passed away Friday February 7, 2014 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Jan was born February, 3, 1936, in Hampton, Iowa, to Fred A. and Lucy E. (Thompson) Keepf. She graduated salutatorian from Hampton High School in 1954. After graduating, Jan attended classes at Iowa State College where she pledged the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She also worked at the First National Bank in Hampton before marrying. She was united in marriage to Leon Pralle in 1956 at the United Methodist Church in Hampton. Following marriage, they began farming together north of Latimer. Jan and Leon raised four children and were blessed with nearly 58 years of marriage.

In addition to her daily involvement in their farming business, Jan worked in the soil testing lab at US Steel in Belmond, Iowa. She eventually took a job with the United States Postal Service. Over the next 20 years she held positions ranging from mail sorter to postmaster. She enjoyed serving as postmaster in both Bradford and Goodell, Iowa.

Jan believed that volunteering and community involvement was important, and she led by example. When first married she spent a number of years as a 4-H Leader for the Richland Robins. Over the years she was active in the Latimer Park Society, National Association of Postmasters, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, and many quilting societies. She also served as an election judge for several years.

Jan was also an active member of her church; she enjoyed Adult Sunday School and Philathea, a service organization. She served in many capacities: Finance Committee. Flower Committee. Deacon. She was the first woman to serve as Elder and Congregational President at Immanuel United Church of Christ.

Jan always kept a garden, loved nature, and put food by. She was passionate about sewing, gardening, traveling, collecting, and birding. Her hobbies were a reason to travel and a source of many valued friendships.

Jan is survived by her husband, Leon; their children Scot (Michelle) Pralle of Medina, MN, Tod (Dyanne) Pralle of Hampton, Sondra Pralle of Sonoma, CA, and Dawn (David) Hanson of Des Moines; four grandchildren Cory, Megan, Anne and Dana; and Niece, Lea Keepf.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Carl Keepf; and granddaughter, Kristen Pralle.