James L. "Jim" Prauner

Funeral Services for James L. “Jim” Prauner, age 72, of Battle Creek, will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 7th, at St. John Lutheran Church in Battle Creek.  Reverend Joseph Leech will officiate.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 6th at the church.  The Funeral Service will be livestreamed on the funeral home’s website.  Steffen Mortuary in Battle Creek is in charge of arrangements.

He passed away Sunday, August 28, 2022 at his home in Battle Creek.

James Leon was born Sunday, August 20, 1950 in Norfolk, Nebraska to Ernest and Marjorie (Reigle) Prauner.  Jim was baptized on September 15, 1950 and confirmed March 22, 1964 at St. John Lutheran Church in Battle Creek.  As a youth, he was active in FFA.  Jim graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1968 and he was played on the undefeated football team that year.

Following graduation, he attended PBI (Professional Business Institute) College in Minneapolis and earned a diploma as a Medical Laboratory and X-Ray Technician on September 12, 1969.  He worked as Medical Technician at the Tilden Community Hospital.

On March 23, 1974, Jim married Susan Marie Thompson.  The couple was blessed with two daughters, Julie Marie and Cindy Jo.  Sadly, Susan passed away on May 25, 1979.

On June 22, 1974, Jim earned a diploma from the Reisch Auction College.

In 1976, Jim became Chief of Police in Battle Creek following graduation from the Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island. 

Over the years, Jim served the community of Battle Creek, as a volunteer on the Battle Creek Fire and Rescue Squad, Fire Chief, an EMT, and as the Civil Defense Chairman.  For Madison County, he served as County Commissioner Third District from 1977 to 2021.

On January 22, 1983, Jim married Beverly (Baumann) Peterson at Grace Lutheran Church in Norfolk.

He is survived by his wife Beverly, daughter Julie Jones and her children Lucas, Matthew and Nathan, daughter Cindy Prauner and her children Makayla and Cheyann, son Christopher (Sellah) Prauner and their son Micah, step daughter Aimee (Steve) Johnson and their children Hilarie, Levi, and Torie and their grandchildren Raedon and Kendrick, step daughter Nancie Clinch and her children Sophia, Victoria, Joenah, Danesia (fiancé Brendon Yoch), step daughter Sara (Thomas) Moeller and their children Madalyn and Barett, brother Fred (Joanne) Prauner, sister Susan (Rex) Volk, nephews Kenny and Zeth Volk, niece Kathryn (Paul) Heineman and their children Jacob, Allison (fiancé Mason Rasmussen), and nephew John (Christine) Prauner and their children Anna, Olivia, and Elijah.

Jim was preceded in death by parents, wife Susan Thompson, and aunts and uncles.  

Pallbearers will be Steve Johnson, Thomas Moeller, James Clinch, Paul Heineman, John Prauner, and Kenneth Volk.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Battle Creek Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, LeRoy Wadell, and Jim’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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