Pauline Frances Pretz

Pauline Frances Peck Pretz November 18, 1929, to November 30, 2023

Pauline Frances Peck Pretz age 94 was born November 18, 1929, in Morris KS, west of Kansas City, KS to Clare Archie Peck and Stella Mae (Siler) Peck, the oldest of three children. She was the last surviving member of the Turner High School class of 1947;Pauline was the first member of her family to graduate from high school. It was there that she met the love of her life George William Pretz, they married on December 31, 1949. Together they raised three sons, Frank, George, and Steven.

Lifelong farmers, they began with George’s parents Frank and Lottie Pretz as “truck gardeners” raising vegetables on the small farm near Turner KS, selling the produce daily at the Kansas City Kansas Farmers Market. Pauline was also employed by the International Paper Company as personal secretary to the president of the Kansas City Division. In 1952 they purchased land near LaCygne, KS and began farming on their own with a crop farm and a few dairy cows. In 1959 they purchased a farm east of Osawatomie, establishing Pretz Holstein Farms. In partnership with Frank, Gayle, George, and Marjorie the farm grew and prospered until the cows were sold in 2004. Pauline hosted visitors from around the world serving those who came to see the Pretz Holstein herd, the best country cooking in the world from her tiny kitchen in the small home on the dairy. The farm also hosted many farm tours for the local elementary school students. Pauline continued to manage the farm finances and to raise baby calves well into her seventies; such was her love for the business that she helped found. She continued to live on the farm, following George’s death in 2011. Moving to Vintage Park Assisted Living in August 2019, she continued to make new friends and build strong relationships with all who she encountered.

Pauline was involved in many clubs and organizations throughout the years. She was active with the St Philip Neri Catholic Church, Altar Society, St Philip Catholic School, and funeral dinner committee. In addition, she served as 4-H leader for the Willow Branch 4-H Club. In 1994 she and George were awarded the KS Master Farmer/Master Homemaker award.

Pauline will be remembered as a faithful Catholic, loving mother – grandmother – great grandmother, master chef, businesswoman, and calf raiser extraordinaire. But most importantly she will be remembered as a person who was deeply thankful for the many blessings that God had provided for her during her long life.

Preceding her in death is her husband George, her parents and brother Lloyd Peck and sister Ann (Peck) Prike.

Pauline is survived by sons Frank (Gayle), Osawatomie, George (Marjorie) Osawatomie, and Steven (Jane) Westwood Hills KS. Grandchildren Matthew, Benjamin, Eric, Katherine, Jon, Mark, Luke, Bridgette, Sarah, and Katarina. She was blessed with twenty-five great grandchildren and one more on the way.

Services will be held on December 9th at the St. Philip Catholic Church in Osawatomie KS beginning with a rosary at 9:00 am immediately followed by visitation. The funeral mass will begin at 11:00 am followed by burial in the Osawatomie City Cemetery. The Pauline F. Pretz Trust has been established for the benefit of the many local charities and organizations that Pauline was devoted to. Send checks c/o Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home P.O. Box 430 Osawatomie, KS 66064.