Warren – Corky Praska, 84, of Warren, died on Saturday evening, January 18, 2025, in Edgewood Vista, East Grand Forks.
Gertrude Ann was born on October 21, 1940, on the farm north of Pisek, ND to Frank and Agnes (Greicar) Novak. She graduated from high school in Pisek, and attended Mayville State College. She met John Praska in high school, dated in college, and were nearly engaged (as he tells it) before he knew her proper name, being dubbed “Corky” as a girl by her dad. They were married on June 16, 1962, in St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church of Pisek, the same parish where she was baptized and confirmed. The young couple moved around as John worked for Robertson Lumber, living in Park River, Neche, Fordville, and Pisek. Corky taught school for a few years in a one-room schoolhouse west of Pisek. In 1974, they and their three sons moved to Warren. Here she raised the boys and worked for Robertson Co., Wages Motors, and the Little Car Shoppe. She was most often seen at Don’s Self-Serv gas station where she worked for 20 years before retiring.
Corky was active around town, organizing blood drives, working for the chamber of commerce, and volunteering for the hospital, the home auxiliary, the Marshall County Fair, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Corky was faithful to her church, Sts. Peter & Paul, and assisted in the altar society, parish council, finance board, and the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary.
In her free time, Corky enjoyed crocheting and knitting, embroidering and cross-stitching, reading, gardening, and making scrapbooks, cards and photo albums. She and John went on several bus tours together, but he never took her on a tropical vacation, because he’d “already been there” while serving in the Pacific. As Corky’s memory declined these last years, John took patient care of her until his sudden passing on December 9, 2024.
She is survived by her sons, Jon (Paula) Praska, Jared (Jodi) Praska and Joel Praska; grandchildren, Kylea (Josh) Bernier, Zach Praska and Kennedy Praska; great-grandson, Collin Bernier; siblings, Mary Levang, and James (Mary Lou) Novak; brother-in-law, Frank Kadlec; and other relatives and cherished friends.
In addition to her husband, Corky was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Agnes; and siblings, Francis Novak, Virgil Novak, and Maxine Kadlec; and brother-in-law, Curtis Levang.
Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025, 10:30 AM, in St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church of Warren.
Visitation is half-hour prior to Mass.
Internment together with her husband in St. John Nepomucene Cemetery, Pisek, ND.
Arrangements by DuBore Funeral Home of Warren.
Guestbook at: www.DuBoreFuneralHome.com
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