Dwayne H. Pruess

Dwayne H. Pruess was born November 28, 1951 in Omaha, Nebraska to Roy and Ruth (Hansen) Pruess. Dwayne grew up on the family farm in Bennington, and attended school in Bennington, graduating from Bennington High School in 1970. From a young age, Dwayne developed a life-long love of two things, farming and baseball. Dwayne married the love of his life, Vicky Braesch on June 10, 1972 at Zion Lutheran Church outside of Bennington, and to this union, three children were born; Doug, Brad, and Emily. Dwayne and Vicky raised the kids and farmed around Bennington for 30 years, before moving to Craig, NE in 2002, where he farmed until fall of 2016. Due to his health, they moved back to the Bennington area. Dwayne had a deep love of farming. He had to be the first to have crops planted, and the first to be out in his combine. And he always took great pride in his John Deere tractors, making sure they were washed, waxed, and ready to go. When he wasn’t farming, Dwayne was on the go. Whether he was on his Harley, for a casual ride with his friend, Merle (who always called Dwayne, Amos), or a trip to Sturgis, or any number of special trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, or Belize, Dwayne never let dust gather under his feet. He and Vicky even went boating with the kids to the same resort with the same other families for 17 years. He was especially happy when he took a “Bucket List” trip with the family to New York City to games at the old Yankee Stadium in 2008, its final year in use. Locally, Dwayne would take a trip to the casino for poker on occasion. He spent a lot of time watching old westerns on TV, and really appreciated a good ribeye steak. He stayed active playing softball into his 40’s, and missed his phantom blue 1970 Chevelle. He had a preference for Mack trucks, but painted his Peterbilt phantom blue in honor of his old Chevelle. Dwayne was a man of strong faith, was deeply devoted to his family, and loved his friends. He cherished family gatherings, and holidays together, where he could lead a game of “31”. He loved watching the grandkids at all of their activities, and his devotion to Vicky was truly special. Dwayne died at his house in Bennington on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at the age of 68 years, 7 months, and 10 days. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy & Ruth Pruess, brother Lynn Pruess, sister Marilee Fernandez, and grandson Max Laible. He is survived by his wife Vicky of Bennington, sons and daughters-in-law Doug & Karin of Craig, NE, and Brad & Mandyn Tekamah, NE, daughter and son-in-law Emily & Luke Laible of Bennington, 10 grandchildren; Payge, Hunter, Payton, Halle, Abbie, Tate, Layla, Brennan, Ellie, and Brody, 2 great grandsons Henrik and Harlan, and mother-in-law Helen Braesch of Bennington, and numerous other relatives and friends, and a special thanks to Amedisys hospice and Home Instead. Dwayne H. Pruess, age 68, of Bennington, died July 7, 2020. Preceded in death by parents Roy & Ruth Pruess, brother Lynn Pruess, sister Marilee Fernandez, and grandson Max Laible. Survived by wife Vicky of Bennington, sons and daughters-in-law Doug & Karin of Craig, NE, Brad & Mandyn Tekamah, NE, daughter and son-in-law Emily & Luke Laible of Bennington, 10 grandchildren, 2 great grandsons, mother-in-law Helen Braesch of Bennington. Visitation will be held Thursday from Noon to 8 PM with family present from 4-8 PM at the funeral home in Elkhorn. Private services will be live streamed from Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Elkhorn after 2 PM Friday. Interment Prairie View Cemetery, Washington, NE. Memorials to Lord of Life Lutheran Church.

Dwayne H. Pruess

November 28, 1951 - July 7, 2020