CLAFLIN — Kenneth H. Praeger, 94, died Aug. 10, 2012 at his residence in Claflin.  
He was born Oct. 14, 1917, on the Praeger homestead at Claflin, the son of Herman A. and Gertrude (Grizzell) Praeger. His father, a prominent agriculturist, was active in local and statewide politics. His mother was a member of many civic organizations. Both parents were graduates of Kansas State agricultural college class of 1908.
Kenneth grew up on the homestead and graduated from Kansas State College in 1940, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, with a degree in Agricultural Economics and Animal Husbandry. He married Christine Robinson in Nash, Okla. in 1941. Their son, Kent Robinson Praeger, was born Nov. 29, 1944, which was also the date of Christine’s death. Kenneth remarried Deborah Kubin on Oct. 29, 1946, at McPherson. Their daughter Karla, was born in 1948 and son Brian followed in 1951. Kenneth and Deborah celebrated a long and happy marriage for 65 years. They enjoyed entertaining family and friends and had many dinner and theme parties through the years.
Kenneth started farming in 1940 and retired in 1982. Memberships include the Barton County Extension Board; Barton County Farm Bureau president; Barton County Wheat Growers Association president; and Barton Livestock Association director. He served on the Claflin school board 13 years, helping develop the unification of schools in Barton County.  He served on the committee to study the feasibility of developing Barton County Community College. He assisted Jim Heaton and W.G. Nicholson in forming the Barton County Kansas State University Alumni Association.  He served on the Board of Directors for Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, Ellinwood. He served as president of this insurance company from 1985 to 1988 and remained active on the board.
Kenneth is survived by his wife Deborah; son, Kent and wife Liz Praeger; son, Brian Praeger and wife Mary Rooney, all of Claflin; and daughter, Karla Perrotta and husband Joe, Pataskala, Ohio. Their granddaughter, Amy Praeger and husband Mark Hoban, live in Washington, D.C. A grandson, Brendan Praeger and his wife Megan Moser, and Owen Praeger reside in Manhattan.  
He was preceded in death by three brothers, a sister, his first wife, Christine; and a granddaughter, Maeve Rooney Praeger.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.  
Memorials are suggested to the Claflin Ambulance Fund or Community Scholarship Inc. of Claflin, all in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, KS.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home *
415 N. Main/P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS, 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 12, 2012