Kenneth Allan Prust

Ken Prust passed away at his home in Cool, California surrounded by his family on January 31, 2025.
Ken Prust was born in Port Washington, Wisconsin on March 25, 1961 to his parents Karen Mangino and Kenneth Prust, Sr. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and friend to many. He was dedicated to his family. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. Ken is survived by his wife, Katie, their children and spouses, Brian (Victoria), Kenny J (Kiana), Kyler (Brooke), Sophia and Levi and his grandchildren Scarlett, Ariana, Juliette, Lucca, Logan, Jacob, Bodie and Myla as well as his parents, Karen and Kenneth, and his brothers, Kirk and Kraig. He is also survived by 42 nieces, nephews, and 19 great nieces and nephews as well.
Ken grew up in Wisconsin until the age 8 and then his parents and siblings (along with 6 horses), traveled across the USA to Orangevale, California, where he grew up on a seven acre ranch swimming at Casa Robles and riding horses. They eventually found themselves in Cool, California on another ranch of seven acres. He spent his time riding horses to the American River and raising pigs, bought his first tractor at age 16 and has been operating tractors ever since then, until he became disabled 5 ½ years ago. Ken went to Placer High School. He hung out at Aggie Hill with all of his cowboy buddies, including my brother Tom Huckins. He also loved rodeo and was asked to be on the football team in his senior year. During the rallies they would start playing it's Howdy Doody Time when he walked in. He loved being a cowboy and rode bulls and buckin horses in high school and into his 20's! He also bought a raft to take all his friends and family down the American River. He had a fun filled life. His brother in law Rob Huckins said he was the hardest worker he knew, and we knew this to be true.
Ken had many jobs including Roseville Livestock Sale Yard, Ellis Sign Company, Nider Construction, Phil Reome, Johnson Construction and PBM Construction, until he ventured out on his own with Prust Construction. He was an artist in his trade, but instead of a paintbrush, he used any type of equipment from skid steers to the largest excavator. The land was his canvas. Ken was very involved with his kids' sports, coaching little league and basketball, for many years. He also loved listening to his daughter Sophie sing; whether for weddings, receptions, at Mass, during family camp outs or just in her room. The gift of her voice was one of his greatest joys.
Ken was a cattleman and loved his cows and ranch. He got the whole family involved in the lifestyle by building fences, branding, and rounding up the herd and going to the Galt Sale Yard together. He loved all of his extended family. He especially loved our annual family campouts at Dillons Beach, Camp Richardson, Sugarpine and Camp Far West, happily taking out our 34 foot trailer wherever we booked a site. He always had treats for the littlest campers, too.
Ken was a church going man and took his family to Mass every Sunday after his conversion in 2007, following Sophia's baptism by Fr. Dwyer. He regularly hung out with his cowboy buddy Deacon Mark Ruiz and our wonderful priest for many years Fr. Dare. He became a praying man later in life and could be seen sitting in his room praying for all of his kids, all of our relatives and his friends, too. He was a member of Knights of Columbus with the Tootsie Roll Drive, the car parking at the Gold Country Fairgrounds bringing his boys and Sophia to help too.
He had many friends that he loved and cherished and would call on a regular basis. Especially his buddies Ron Hohn, Kip Andert, Bob Murchison, Danny Bedodla, Dan Sewell, Curt Wurst, Brett and Burr Ellis. His uncles in Wisconsin Uncles Dick, Russ, and Tom. He just wanted to get back to work he told his brother in law Tony Landry and son Kyler the week of his passing. That's what he loved working, cows, family, friends and God!!
He was preceded in death by our beloved son, Kolbe, and his sisters, Kelly and Kim.
After a long battle with his health, we take peace knowing he is no longer in pain. We will miss him terribly. The family would like to thank all those who have supported us with love, prayers, food, hugs and financially!
There will be a rosary and viewing at Lassila Funeral Chapel on Friday February 21st from 4pm-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church on Saturday, February 22nd at 11am.
There will be a reception immediately following the funeral at the family home in Cool.