Gerald W. Prante

Jerry (only called “Gerald” by his mother) Prante was born to Walter H. and Esther M. (nee: Telle) Prante on June 23rd, 1932 in South St. Louis.  He was raised in St. Louis before moving to Kirkwood.  His father owned several grocery/meat markets and actually sold the first cases of the now famous 7-Up.  Being raised in meat markets, Jerry was introduced to the grocery business, having to work in the family store, Prante’s Meat Market, at a very young age.  This led to his lifelong career of butchering/meat cutting.  Jerry retired from Schnucks as a meat manager, and he worked at more Schnucks stores than any other employee.

Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Marines and served his country during the Korean War.  He was very proud to be a Marine every day of his life, because “once a Marine, always a Marine.”  Service to his country did not end with the war.  Jerry was active in the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign War, the Korean War Veterans Association, the Marine Corps. Association, the Marine Corp. League, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Loyal Order of Moose.

Shortly after coming home from Korea, Jerry married Catherine Kaba.  This marriage brought six children; Gerald Jr., Mary Catherine, Christopher, Gregory, Annette and Faith.

Jerry was active with the Knights of Columbus as a 4th Degree Knight, the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and Parish Council.   He also served his parishes as a lector, extraordinary minister, and usher.

Jerry was an avid reader and enjoyed history.  In his youth, he loved playing baseball and would sneak to Sportsman Park to watch the St. Louis Browns through the knotholes in the fence.  Later in life, he would travel in the summer to watch women’s fast pitch softball leagues.

For Jerry, traveling was a huge fascination, whether cruising, flying, or driving.  He visited each of the 50 states and put thousands of miles on his cars.  He was able to travel to all the habitable continents apart from Australia, (although he was recently talking of New Zealand).  He loved watching the ocean and enjoyed “snowbirding” in Florida for many winters.

Jerry resided at the Our Lady of Life apartments in Shrewsbury, MO where he could be found working on the grounds, joshing with the other residents, along with participating in the activities and dances.

Jerry enjoyed life, and his wives only increased that enjoyment.  He was married to Catherine (nee:Kaba) for 37 years; Roberta (nee: Luebke) Stahl for 17 years; and Audrey (nee: Lang) Saunders for 6 years.  Each of them made him a better man.

Unexpectedly, he succumbed to his injuries from a car accident on December 4th, 2018 at the age of 86 at SSM DePaul Hospital, in Bridgeton, MO.  His goal was always to live to be 110 years old.

He is survived by his children, Gerald W. (Karen) Prante, Jr., Mary Catherine Prante, Christopher R. Prante, Gregory A. (JoAnne) Prante, and Faith M. (Kenneth) Westhoff; grandchildren Jeanette Ramos, Erin DiPippo, Jeri Lynn Ruskowitz, Catherine Jones, Anna Jones, Gregory Prante, Jr., Andrew Westhoff and Matthew Westhoff; great-grandchildren Miranda Ramos, Patricia DiPippo, Giovanni DiPippo, and Morgan Ruskowitz; and brother Howard J. Prante.

He was preceded in death by wives Catherine Kaba Prante, Roberta Luebke Stahl-Prante, and Audrey Lang Saunders-Prante; daughter Annette Marie Prante; parents Walter H. Prante and Esther M. Telle Prante; and brother William M. Prante.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jerry’s name in the form of Holy Masses, or St. Vincent dePaul Society c/o St. Barnabas Catholic Church.