Jason E. Praefke

Jason E. Praefke

Of West Bend, passed away surrounded by his loving family on August 27, 2023, at the age of 45. Jason was born in Milwaukee, to his parents, the late Gordon Praefke and Mary (nee Arnold). He was united in marriage with Susanne “Susy” Praefke on September 5, 2004, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, and together their marriage was blessed with two children, Wyatt and Elisabeth.

Jason grew up in Cedarburg, alongside his multiple siblings until moving to West Bend in 1993. Jason’s love for the Lord has continuously grown since the time he was born, he was baptized and was a long-time member of Advent Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, he attended Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School, and eventually, he found his beloved church, David’s Star Lutheran Church in Jackson. Jason also had many hobbies, he would help work on the family farm and he found joy in cutting wood, bailing hay, and driving the tractors. You could find Jason relaxing on the porch with a martini or bourbon and having a cigar. He also had a love for his Buzdum Cribbage group, where he liked to play anything from cribbage, sheepshead, and texas holdem. Because of Jason’s love for the outdoors, he would fish, hunt, waterski and boat on Fox Lake or Big Cedar, snowmobile, and enjoyed horseback riding. He was a proud equestrian in the Sattlebread Industry. From 1993 to 1994, he showed his horse, Born Unbelievable, at Lexington, Kentucky Junior League and at the World Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. Jason won the Amateur Park Class at Madison Classic and was proud of the horses his family owned. He was also an avid golfer; Jason would play golf any chance he could with his friends and family. One of Jason’s favorite memories was playing golf with his parents or a nephew at the West Bend Country Club. Aside from his hobbies, Jason had many talents, he was a beautiful singer where he joined the theater in high school and would sing for Advent Lutheran Church. In addition to his high school years, you could find Jason smiling and having fun on the soccer field during practice and games. After graduating from Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in 1997, Jason soon continued his studies at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, where he earned his BBA in Operations Management and Supply Chain. His education led him to Alto-Sham, where he was the supply chain analyst and shipping manager. In 2016, Jason found himself at Racine Metal-Fab where he was the director of operations. At Metal-Fab, he developed systems and procedures for continuous improvement and production work. Jason enjoyed what he did for his career and was always interested in the industry and production work. Because of Jason’s selflessness, he was always available whenever someone needed help. Jason’s one true hobby was spending time with the ones he loved most, his beloved family.

Jason is survived by his wife, Susy; his children, Wyatt and Elisabeth; and his mother. Mary. He is further survived by his siblings, Carson Praefke, Barbara Praefke, Kathryn (James) Spaude, Kurt (Connie) Willer, Mary Beth (Rick) Waters, and James (Karen) Willer. He will be greatly missed by his nieces and nephews, many friends, and family.

Jason is preceded in death by his father, Gordon Praefke and brother-in-law, Michael Taraboi Sr.

There will be a visitation held for Jason at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church (W196N9525 Cross View Way, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051) from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 31, 2023. There will be an additional visitation at David’s Star Lutheran Church (2740 David’s Star Drive, Jackson, WI 53037) on Friday, September 1, 2023, from 10:00 AM till service time at 11:00 AM with Pastor Mike Woldt and Pastor Kurt Loescher officiating. A committal service will take place immediately following the service at David’s Star Lutheran Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to David Star Lutheran Church or Grace Ev. Lutheran Church are appreciated. For online condolences please visit Jason’s Tribute Wall at www.muellerfuneralhome.com.