Delia Pruhs

1928 - 2010

Delia "Del" Pruhs, 82, died Sunday, July 18, 2010, in Prescott Valley, Ariz.
A viewing and rosary were held Friday at Green Acres Funeral Home, 401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Ariz. A funeral was held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, July 24, at St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church, 1030 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale.
Del was born July 4, 1928, in Otter River, Mass., to John and Mary Tenaglia. She graduated from Templeton High School in Baldwinville, Mass.; St. Vincent's School of Nursing in Worcester, Mass.; and Donsbach University School of Nutrition in Concord, Calif. She moved to Point Barrow in 1952 to work as a nurse before settling in Fairbanks in 1954 and met and married her best friend and husband, Don Pruhs. They lived in Fairbanks for more than 35 years before retiring in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Del was involved in the Fairbanks community and the state of Alaska.
She was active in Sweet Adelines and the Breast Cancer Detection Center, where she volunteered as a nurse and later worked as executive director. She worked as a nurse at Lathrop High School.
Del served as commissioner to both the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. She was the Alaska Regent to WAMI, a collaborative medical school program among universities from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. Mrs. Pruhs supported many other civic organizations and was a member of the Pioneers of Alaska.
According to her family, "Del's commitment to health and higher education will continue to benefit Alaskans for generations to come. Her kindness, creativity and love of community were central to her life. There wasn't a neighborhood child or family friend who didn't know she served pasta every Wednesday and Sunday at 5:15 p.m. sharp. Those dinners were special occasions for family and friends; they were filled with love, laughter and good-natured ribbing. Her heart, home and table were always open to others."
Del was a master knitter and seamstress who enjoyed reading, learning, gardening, cooking, bridge and sports. She was a dedicated supporter of Monroe Catholic Schools of Fairbanks and an avid fan of professional baseball and football.
Del was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years and her parents.
She is survived by her son, Dana Pruhs; daughter-in-law, Deanna, and granddaughter, Danner, of Anchorage; son, Danny Pruhs, daughter-in-law, Patti, and grandsons, Palmer and Parker of Prescott, Ariz.; son, David Pruhs of Fairbanks; daughter, Donelle Thompson, son-in-law, Ross, and grandson, Jacob, of Anchorage; sister, Kay LeBlanc of Phoenix; sister, MaryJane Johnson of Champaign, Ill.; brother, Nicholas Tenaglia of Phoenix; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to send donations to the Monroe Foundation, 615 Monroe St., Fairbanks, AK 99701, or submit online at www.catholic-schools.org/monroefoundation/donate/index.html. If donating online, please reference "in memory of Del Pruhs" in the company name field.