Dorothy Prasnicki

Dorothy Prasnicki, age 90, of rural Big Stone City, SD, died on January 26, 2024, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank, SD. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Big Stone City, SD. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Father Brian Eckrich will celebrate the Mass, and inurnment will be at St. Charles Catholic Cemetery in Big Stone City, SD. 

Dorothy Ann (Van Hout) Prasnicki was born on May 29, 1933, in Roberts County, SD, to Peter and Charlotte (Henkels) Van Hout. She attended two years of country school, eight years in Big Stone City, and two years in Ortonville, MN, graduating in 1951. 

Dorothy was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith at St. Charles Catholic Church of Big Stone City. Dorothy met the love of her life, Henry “Hank” Prasnicki, and they were married on November 10, 1951, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville, MN. They dairy farmed together for many years. In 1977, they started square dancing and danced at many square-dancing clubs in surrounding states. Dorothy and Hank established a square dance clothing business in the early 1980s, Dottie’s Dancewear, and traveled with the shop to North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. 

Dorothy was the state secretary/treasurer of South Dakota Square Dance Association for many years. They belonged to the Old Mill Twirlers. Dorothy was a great cook and baker. She loved cooking for Hank and company. Pies were her specialty. When she was losing her eyesight, Hank would read the recipes for her. 

Dorothy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and sister, and she enjoyed being surrounded by her family. She was so proud to show them off! She loved all the little parties that were held at the log cabin that her son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Jackie, built. She was an avid Vikings fan and loved doing the victory dance with her son, Rod, and grandson, Shawn. 

Dorothy is survived by her five children: Rick (Jill) Prasnicki of Haslett, MI; Sheryl (Roger) Wiese of Greenleaf, WI; DeWayne (Mary) Prasnicki of Sartell, MN; Rod (Lori) Prasnicki of Big Stone City, SD; and Randy (Jackie) Prasnicki of Big Stone City, SD; 23 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Diane (Vince) Kvidera of Ortonville, MN; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Hank; her parents: Pete and Charlotte; sisters: Viola Hansen, Gladys Van Stralen, Marie Giessinger, and Georgetta Giessinger; brother, Glen Van Hout; and infant granddaughter, Cheyenne.