John Prall

John Prall, 84, of Greeley, passed away on January 26, 2021. He was born in Waltersdorf, Romania to Michael and Maria Prall on July 9, 1936. John was the youngest of three children, sister Katharina Grieb and brother Michael. In September of 1944, the Prall Family moved to Tumeltsham, Austria when John was 8-years old. It took a solid 3-months to get there by covered wagon. In 1952, the family left Austria for the United States, by way of a Windsor Lutheran Church parishioner. After a challenging boat ride across the Atlantic Ocean, they landed in Ellis Island. From there, a train brought the family directly to Colorado. After one-year of farm labor at 75-cents per hour, the family was able to pay back the passage debt to the parishioner and start their own "American Dream” in Windsor. In 1961, he married Joan Elaine Sheperd and they had two children, Mark Allen Prall (wife Jennifer) and Linda Kay Bevins (husband Michael). They were married for 18-years. John worked as a farm laborer, supervisor in the Beef Fabrication Department at Monfort Packing (now JBS), where he carried sides of beef with one arm, as well as a semi-truck driver for the Weld County Road & Bridge Department. During retirement…and never one to sit idle…John drove trucks for Doty Construction into his mid-seventies. Known by many as the "Dutch Hop Ambassador of Northern Colorado”, John held hundreds of dances and gave event proceeds to his community, veterans, and different organizations, including the American Heart Association. Admired by Dutch Hop Bands and fans alike, his favorite dance partner was his own daughter, Linda…whom he taught to dance from a very young age. Dutch Hops, driving fast, bowling and arm wrestling were John’s favorite past-times. He loved to drag race the quarter mile track in his black 1964 El Camino, bowl a perfect 300, and, at 40-years old, became Colorado’s Middle-Weight Arm Wrestling Champion, after defeating 45 competitors. His more "mellow” years were spent enjoying his family, friends, and his beloved Cocker Spaniel, Buster (who passed away at age 14, just 2-weeks prior to him). He loved sharing stories of his past with his kids and grandchildren. John also enjoyed watching football and spending time at the lake. John is survived by his children Mark Allen (Jennifer) Prall, Linda Kay (Michael) Bevins; brother Michael (Brigitte) Prall; grandchildren: Brady (Katie), Stephanie, Cameron (Ichiko), Coby and Mackenzie, as well as two great-grandchildren, Barrett and Buckley, numerous nieces and nephews and his very adored companion of 3-years, Rosalie Stevens and close friends Vern and Joan Moser. Proceeded in death by his parents, sister Katharina Grieb and brother-in-law Art Grieb. John’s Life Celebration Memorial Service will be 3:00 pm Friday, February 5 at Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 47th Ave. Greeley, CO 80634, a reception will follow. The family asks that the wear of masks and social distancing be observed. To leave condolences for John’s family, visit www.adamsoncares.com.