John Prohaski
John Virgil Prohaski, 88, of Mason City passed away May 3, 2026. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 11 at Epiphany Parish - St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 5th Street SE in Mason City with Rev. Ben Valentine as celebrant. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church.
John was born June 14, 1937, in Mason City, the son of Charlie and Jenny (Olson) Prohaski. He graduated from Mason City High School in May of 1955. He attended Mason City Junior College (now NIACC), graduating in 1957. He received his Bachelors Degree from Iowa State Teacher’s College in 1961 and later his Master’s Degree of Psychology from Winona State University.
After teaching in Missouri Valley and in Marble Rock, his family settled in Waukon for the remainder of their teaching careers. John also worked as a volunteer EMT for the Veterans Memorial Hospital for many years.
While attending Mason City Junior College, John met the girl of his dreams, Janan Cahalan. The couple was married June 29, 1957. They became parents to Judy in 1958, Kaye in 1959, and their son, Doug, in 1965.
John lived for family, sports, dancing and woodworking. Large family gatherings made John happy, the more the merrier. Card games and ice cream often ended the evening of family get-togethers. Sports were always a part of John’s life, from playing and coaching basketball, baseball, softball, football and track throughout his life. Until he was in his late 70s, John pitched slow pitch softball. His disciplined style, with life truths woven in, helped form teams that remained friends for life. Although not musically inclined, if there was a waltz, polka, fox trot, or schottische dance, he was on the floor. Woodworking, creating holiday yard ornaments and sharing them with family and friends was a rewarding hobby in his later years.
John is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy Janan (Cahalan); his children, Judy Wedeking, Kaye (Doug Walker) Regan, and Doug (Amy) Prohaski; his grandchildren, Charlie Wedeking, Thea (Sam) Berns, Brenda (Steve) Kerner, Rose Humphry, Stephanie Walker, Amy (Brandon) Archer, Rachel (Chris) Sappington, Aubrynne (Jeremy) Beard, Bryson (Chloe) Jones, Caden Jones, Kylie Jones and Maddie Prohaski; his great-grandchildren, Anthony Kerner, Nolan Wedeking, Sophia Wedeking, Kayelee Kerner, Lilah Holbrook, Noelle Holbrook, Stella Archer, Rowan Berns, Alexander Humphrys, Scarlett Archer, and Sierra Archer; his brother, Dwayne (Stephanie) Prohaski; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Dick (Jeanette) Cahalan, Jodi Cahalan, Charlie Cahalan, John (Ginny) Cahalan, Mick (Debbie) Cahalan, and Tom (Sue) Cahalan; as well as extended family and many friends.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Jenny Prohaski; his sister, Pat Pike; his brothers, Bob Kilfoil, Chuck Prohaski, and Darrel Prohaski; Janan’s parents, Bob and Marion Cahalan; and his brothers-in-law, Donald Cahalan and David Cahalan.
