PRAUSE

Barbara Ann (Leenen) Prause, age 90, joined her loved ones in Heaven Dec.10.

Barbara was born May 1, 1931 at her Grandma and Grandpa Miller’s house in Columbus to her parents Genevieve Frances (Miller) Leenen and August Jacob Leenen. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Bellville.

Although she didn’t think she liked it at the time, when she was 11 years old her family was blessed with her only sibling, her little brother Jake Elton Leenen, with whom she had a special life long bond. Her parents owned and operated Leenen’s Cash Store, the general store in Peters, so Barbara spent a lot of her childhood across the street at her Great Aunt Belle Schubert’s house. She attended school at Peters Hacienda and later at Sealy High School where she graduated in 1948.

Barbara was married in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus to Clemons Lavo “Buddy” Prause Apr. 28, 1951. Their union was blessed with four children, which she and Buddy devoted their life to. Along with them, her grandchildren and great grandchildren also held a very special place in her heart.

Barbara was very involved in her children’s school as well as many things within the community. She was very active in home extension clubs around the area serving in numerous officer positions as well as judging events throughout the years. Barbara was the 1990 Extension Homemakers Woman of the Year. She was very proud of the many ribbons and awards she won in sewing, baking and crafting. She was famous for the Barbie and other doll clothes she sewed for two generations for area girls and her grand and great granddaughters. She felt honored to have made the dresses for many of Mrs. Nesbitt’s dolls now displayed in Nesbitt Memorial Library. Barbarara was known by many for the sock monkeys she also made.

Barbara was very involved with the Colorado County Fair Association and served as one of its organizers. She was known as the top fundraiser many times for worthy causes in our area as well as for the Shriners Children’s Hospital which was dear to her heart. She was a fan club member to many country music stars and was very proud of her and her husband’s friendship with George and Nancy Jones and Nancy’s mother. Barbara was a member of the Texas German Society and the former Eastern Star.

All of that aside, she was wholly devoted to her children. She was always a room mother and brought desk decorations to her children’s teachers for every holiday and season. Barbara was famous with her grandchildren and great grandchildren for her awesome frog and sock monkey collections, which they added to at every chance. She always had time to stop and play with clay or playdoh, build with blocks or play cards or Chinese Checkers; one of her favorites. She loved to read her paperbacks and collected books by her favorite authors.

Barbara is survived by her children Russell Prause, Reva (Prause) West, Wade Prause and wife Phoebe, Shelly Prause and friend Kim Kovar; grandchildren Brandy Alonzo (Javier), Jason Gassmann (Lynn), Kaley Gassmann, Dave Prause (Virginia), Rachel Prause, Erin Prause, and Brant Prause; great-grandchildren Cameron, Taylor and Jordan Alonzo, Kyle Gassmann and Jayden Gamez; special friend her “other daughter” Janice Crowder.

Visitation was Tuesday, Dec. 14 at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, and on Wednesday. Funeral service was Wednesday, Dec. 15 at Henneke Funeral Home. Pastor Alan Kethan will be officiating.

Pallbearers are Jason Gassmann, Dave Prause, Brant Prause, Javier Alonzo, Randy Crowder and Lino Gamez. Honorary pallbearers are her granddaughters, Mark Hill, Lonnie Mercer, Bennie Miller, Carlos Froebel, David Prause and Robert Froebel.

Memorials may be given to Nesbitt Memorial Library, 529 Washington St., Columbus, TX 78934 or charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.