Debra Prochaska

Debbie “Nana” Prochaska, 66, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin passed away with her family by her side due to unexpected health reasons on January 30, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Services for Debbie and her son Kevin are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Pastor Margo Peterson will officiate. Visitation for family and friends will begin at 9 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Debbie was born to the late Howard and Josephine Rudloff in Antigo, WI. She graduated from Antigo High School. She married the love of her life, Tony Prochaska, on Valentine's Day in 1976. They would have celebrated 48 years of marriage this month. Her lifelong passion was fulfilled by being a wonderful, loving, and dedicated wife, mother and nana. Family was the most important thing to Debbie. She had such dedication to her family, and she cherished every moment spent with them. Anyone that knew Debbie affectionately called her “Nana.” Debbie enjoyed reading, sewing, crafting, and thrifting. She was known to stop for free items on the road and make something wonderful from them. She took great pride in providing childcare for her 8 Grandchildren. After they started school her gift of childcare poured into many other families that became part of Nana’s family. She enjoyed decorating inside and outside for all the holidays, but especially loved Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was her absolute favorite because the house was filled with love and laughter from family and friends. Nana strongly encouraged everyone to take turns sharing at the table what they were thankful for. One of the many holiday traditions Nana started was Cousins Weekend at Thanksgiving. This weekend included crafts, baking, board games, treats parents wouldn’t buy, dancing, music, etc. with Nana and her grandchildren. The kids quickly learned that “WHAT HAPPENS AT NANA’S …. STAYS AT NANA’S!” Nana enjoyed baking with the grandkids, but her favorite was baking pumpkin bars with her two grandsons. Another passion of Nana’s was collecting items that were cobalt blue, her favorite color. She is survived by her husband Tony; daughters, Kelly (Doug) Look and Kristy Johnson; 8 grandchildren: Abby, Gracie, Riley, and Ellie Look, & Brady, Ruby, Maggie, and Mollie Johnson; and a brother, Bill Rudloff. She is further survived by brother in laws Rich (Jill) Prochaska, John Seekamp, Dale O’Nan, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her grandpuppies, Lily, Tanner, Stella, and Scarlett. Debbie was preceded in death by her son, Kevin Prochaska; her parents; sister, Bonnie O’Nan; mother and father-in-law, Marie, and John Prochaska; brother in laws, Stephen Prochaska, David Prochaska, and Joel Prochaska; sister-in-law, Rosemary Seekamp. The family would like to thank the paramedics on-site, Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department, and the staff at both the Aspirus Riverview Hospital Emergency Room and Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their compassionate and excellent care on a terrible day. Debbie was an amazing wife, mother, nana, and friend. She will be deeply missed.
Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family.