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Thomas Prchal, 95, of Storm Lake died Friday, April 25, 2025, after living in his home for 68 years.
Funeral Mass will take place Friday, May 2, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will take place Thursday, May 1, from 5-7 p.m. with a KC Rosary at 7 p.m. all at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to direct memorials to St. Mary’s or BVRMC Oncology Department.
Thomas was born March 7, 1930, to Charles and Matilda (Riedmann) Prchal in Omaha, Neb. He attended school in Omaha, graduating from South Omaha High School in 1948. Tom was employed by Paxton and Gallagher in Omaha after high school as a hardware salesman. He served in the United States Army from March 1951 until April 1953. Tom completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, then served in the 1st Cavalry Division and 8th Cavalry Regiment during the Korean War. Tom earned a Combat Infantry Badge and two brown stars during his service. Following his time in the military, Tom resumed his employment with Paxton and Gallagher. In 2014, Tom took part in the Korean Honor Flight.
On May 1, 1954, Tom was united in marriage to Lorene Kayl at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Council Bluffs. They were blessed with five daughters: Donna, Karen, Connie, Nancy and Julie.
Tom and his family moved to Storm Lake in 1956. In 1960, Tom began working for Wright and Wilhelmy until his retirement in 1995. He was one of their top salesmen for 30 years.
Faith was the cornerstone of Tom’s life and he was an active member of Storm Lake St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Tom was a member of Knights of Columbus for over 65 years. He was a fourth-degree member since 1970.
In Tom’s earlier years, he served as commander of Am Vets and was a member of Toastmasters for 10 years. He enjoyed fishing and camping with his family. Later in life, Tom loved volunteering, especially at the SOS store in Storm Lake.
Tom started golfing at Spring Lake Golf Course in South Omaha as a teen. He golfed well into his nineties at various clubs in Iowa and Arizona. He was an original member of the Lake Creek Country Club. His claim to fame is two hole-in-ones in his eighties.
He and Lorene loved traveling across the United States and Europe, most frequently to the Czech Republic, as he truly embraced his Bohemian heritage. Polka dancing brought Tom great joy, and he enjoyed attending dances and festivals all over the Midwest. Tom and Lorene enjoyed wintering in Arizona for 20 years during retirement.
Tom was inquisitive and always open to learning something new. He was a great conversationalist and had friends from all over the United States. Tom never walked away without making a friend. Tom and Lorene also enjoyed their couple’s 500 card group, his Poker Club, cards with his golfing buddies, happy hours and meeting at Hy-Vee for coffee.
More than anything, Tom was very proud of his family. He loved to hear from every family member, including his daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his many nieces and nephews. He never hesitated to pick up the phone and call people himself. Tom will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish his memory include daughters: Donna Prchal of Roseburg, Ore.; Karen (Paul) Fitzpatrick of West Des Moines; Connie (Bruce) Hoffman of Dubuque; Nancy (Shane) Lenhart of Storm Lake; Julie (John) Williams of Council Bluffs; grandchildren: Erin (Don) Likens, Kelly (Keith) Harding, Erica (Nick) Blocker, Scott (Courtney) Fitzpatrick, Kaila (Steffen) Baumgarten, Allison (Wes) Hammers, Isaac Hoffman, Nathan (Ellie) Lenhart, Riley Lenhart and Ian Williams; great-grandchildren: Jade and Camille Harding; Kiersten, Mackenzie and Coleson Blocker; Lux and Locklan Lenhart; Mason and Ellie Hammers; Owen Baumgarten; Henry and Elliott Fitzpatrick; sister-in-law Ginny Prchal; nieces; nephews; cousins; extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lorene Prchal; parents, Charles and Matilda Prchal; son-in-law Preston Thompson; great-grandson Henry Fitzpatrick; and siblings: Charles Prchal, Dorothy Chromy, Ray Prchal and Louis Prchal.
