Prastka, George Donald

George Donald Prastka, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, April 2, 2012, at St. Luke's Hospital. Services: 10 a.m. Thursday, April 5, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids by the Rev. John Louk. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Military Honors by American Legion Post No. 727.

Survivors include his son, Mark of Cedar Rapids; his daughter, Patti (Michael) Morehouse-Staub of Cedar Rapids; granddaughter, Stephanie (Donald) Pinter; two great-grandchildren, Neal and Logan Pinter, and a third great-grandchild due in May; and nieces and nephews, William “Bill” Prastka and Sue (Prastka) Schaeffer.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 63 years, Lorraine; brother and sister-in-law, Robert “Bob” (Maxine) Prastka; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald “Red” and Maxine (Bliss) Wagner; and his son-in-law, Gary Morehouse.

George was born Jan. 25, 1921, the son of Louis and Millie (Maxa) Prastka in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. George earned his Eagle Scout at 16 and later became Scout Master of troop 16 at Salem United Methodist Church. He graduated from Iowa State University and Bradley University. George worked for the U.S. Forest Service in the Clearwater National Forest in Idaho as a lookout and smoke chaser. George served with the U.S. Army during World War II as a staff sergeant with the 30th Engineers Topographical Battalion from 1942 to 1945. On Oct. 24, 1943, he married Lorraine Bliss at Salem United Methodist Church. He worked for and owned Prastka Jewelry for over 40 years, starting in 1950.

George was a member of Salem United Methodist Church for 66 years. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, camping and being outdoors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America in memory of George.

Please sign the online guest book for George at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette April 3, 2012.