Algis J. Praitis

1932 - 2025

Algis J. Praitis

January 4, 1932 - December 17, 2025

Algis J. Praitis, age 93 of Grinnell, IA and formerly of Omaha, NE, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at Mayflower Health Care Center in Grinnell.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, NE.

Algis was born on January 4, 1932, in Taurag?, Lithuania to Jonas and Marija Putinaite Preikšaitis. He immigrated from Kaunas Lithuania through displaced persons camps in Germany to the United States as a teenager, escaping the rise of a dictatorship in Lithuania at the end of World War II. He proudly served in the U.S. Army before gaining his U.S. citizenship.

Algis attended the University of Nebraska, Omaha before beginning a career with the IBEW Union in Omaha. He deeply valued education and was determined that all four of his children would have opportunities he himself did not. Known for his love of literature, he often quoted the "great books" and poetry in birthday cards and letters to family, sharing wisdom and encouragement through words. Algis moved to Grinnell, IA in 2020 to be closer to family

Algis loved playing soccer, traveling across the Midwest to compete. He was a life-long photographer, never without his camera in hand. Through his photography, he documented more than five decades of important events in the Omaha Lithuanian Community and contributed materials to the Lithuanian Archives Project in Chicago. His nature photographs were selected for inclusion in several publications that celebrated the beauty of Nebraska landscapes.

Algis is survived by his daughters, Irena Praitis, Vida Praitis and her husband Roger Hill, and Judith Praitis and her husband David Apel; daughter-in-law, Janine Whan Tong; Grandsons, Ishaan Praitis, Ezra Praitis Hill, Kendall Praitis Hill, Karl Praitis, Erik Praitis, Colin Praitis Apel, Garrett Praitis Apel, Aidan Praitis Apel and his partner Brian Murdock. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Edward Praitis; and sister Milda Preikšaitis Lamm.

From all of us with love: May you always find an open landscape, your camera, and the light just right.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be designated to the Lithuanian Archives Project. Donations may be made online at https://www.lithuanianarchivesproject.org/ or mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Smith Funeral Home

1103 Broad St., Grinnell, IA 50112