Vernon Edward Prothe

Vernon Edward Prothe, 90 years old, a resident of North Point Care Home, Paola, KS, passed away peacefully October 3, 2024. He was born June 22, 1934 in Paola, KS to Edward Frederick and Manda Mabel (Minden) Prothe. He was baptized and confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran Church of Paola, KS and spent his lifetime in the Block community.

On November 23, 1955 he married Donna Lou Cole of Lane, KS at the Lane Methodist Church. They lived and raised their family of three sons on the family farm like three generations before him. He cared about family and friends. He enjoyed working his cattle and maintaining the farm and home. For most of his life he had a pair of horses, a dog and stray cat.

He graduated from the Paola High School in 1952. He farmed row crops and worked as an apprentice in the maintenance shop for Missouri Pacific Railroad in Osawatomie, KS. Later he worked for Bendix Aviation Corporation in Kansas City, MO in the inspection department. After the national defense cutbacks in the early 1970s, he again went to work for Missouri Pacific RR, this time as a brakeman/conductor and retired from Union Pacific Railroad in 1999.

Vernon enjoyed many activities and hobbies such as fishing, hunting, gardening, traveling, dancing, listening to country and gospel music, and watching sports. His travels included Europe, Canada and all 50 states. His favorite vacation spot was a small fishing resort along interconnected lakes in Ontario, Canada. He went many times, always in August to escape the heat, and often traveled or met up there with other families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son Don Merle Prothe; granddaughter Paige Alexandria Prothe; sisters Lorene Debrick and Beverly Helin; and niece Tara Helin.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Lou; sons Darryl Edward (Gloria) Lawrence, KS; Eric Lynn (DJ) Spokane, WA; grandchildren Chris (Liz) Lakewood, CO; Kyle (Alexis) Spokane, WA; Caitlin Sacramento, CA; Michaela Spokane, WA; great-grandchildren Emma and Owen Lakewood, CO; and sister Shirley Warden Lawrence, KS.

Funeral service and visitation will be Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Paola United Methodist Church in Paola, KS. Visitation is at 10 AM followed by the service at 11 AM. Burial will follow the service at Paola Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Paola United Methodist Church, Paola, KS c/0 Dengel & Son Mortuary Paola Chapel 305 N. Pearl St. Paola, KS 66071.

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