Leslie Harold Prausa

Leslie Harold Prausa, age 79, of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee, died on Aug. 21, 2025, surrounded by his wife and children, after suffering injuries from a fall.

Les was born on March 22, 1946, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to parents Harold and Laura Prausa. He was a faithful Christian, loving and energetic husband (to Barbara Prausa), father of three children and grandfather of nine grandchildren. Anyone who knew Les quickly saw how much he loved life and all the adventures it has to offer.

Les graduated from Appleton High School in 1964. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Weisnicht. Barb and Les were married in 1969 and enjoyed their married life together for 56 years.

Les and Barb settled in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin where they raised three children and worked together in the Oconomowoc Area School District for more than 25 years. Les served as a guidance counselor for Oconomowoc schools until he decided to open his own private practice based in Elm Grove, Wisconsin where he worked with clients providing mental health, substance abuse, and parenting counseling services.

He was a member of UW-Oshkosh chapter of Delta Sigma Phi, where he established lifelong friendships.

Les was an active father and community member and helped found the Oconomowoc Soccer Association and served on several organizational committees for Boy Scout Troop #12 in Oconomowoc. His family were members of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Oconomowoc, where he served on numerous committees. He passed on his love of hunting to his boys, Tom and Rick, and love of skiing to his daughter, Susie.

Following their respective retirements Barb and Les left Wisconsin for southern living, where they owned homes in both Fairfield Glade, Tennessee and Port Richey, Florida. They developed a rich network of friends in both communities. Les served as the president of the homeowners' association in their Port Richey, Florida neighborhood. Les was known by friends as an active table tennis player, hiker and golfer. He was an avid skier, rock climber, gardener, cook and he loved to dance.

Les and Barb loved to travel the world and kept a busy, but fulfilling schedule visiting families and friends across the country. He enjoyed spending his golden years visiting with his grandkids, whom he passed on his love of rock climbing. He was also known to never pass up an opportunity to ride a rollercoaster while accompanying the grandchildren to amusement parks.

Les lived his life with energy, kindness, and a generous spirit. His family and friends will carry forward the lessons he taught — love deeply, seek adventure, give back, and always make room for joy.

Les was preceded in death by his father Harold and mother Laura. He is survived by his wife Barbara, children Richard (Shannon), Thomas (Amy) and Susan (Henry) Long, sister Ann Bromwell (James) and 9 grandchildren (Matthew, Leroy, Jonathon, Audrianna, Erick, George, Emily, Hannah and Azalea).

The family will hold a memorial for Les in Appleton, Wisconsin, in early summer 2026. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to DSDN at https://www.dsdiagnosisnetwork.org/donate or by mail to: Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network, P.O. Box 140, Stillwater, MN 55082.