Karl W. Pruett

Karl W. Pruett, 59, of Topeka, passed away on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at his residence. He was born on January 17, 1948 in Heidelberg, Germany, the son of Roy W. and Mary A. Hofstaetter Pruett. He graduated from Junction City High School in 1966 and attended Lowell Technical Institute in Lowell, MA from 1966-1967. Karl was an Air Force Veteran during the Vietnam War. He has been a member of the Kansas Air National Guard since 1975 and attained the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He had resided in Wichita from 1979 - 1984 before moving to Topeka in July of 1984. He was employed by Northern Telecom from 1978 - 1987 and has been employed by the Kansas Air National Guard since 1987, serving as a Mission Systems Chief, ANG. He was an amateur Ham Radio Operator since the age of 17 and was an avid member of the Kaw Valley Amatuer Radio Club. Karl married Patricia Sue Roepke on March 31, 1984 in Manhattan. She survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Kelly Pruett and Kimberly Evans and husband, Lee all of Topeka, two granddaughters, Saige and Mallory, and three sisters, Susan Smith of Manhattan, Sandra de Rusha of Colorado Springs, CO and Judy Pierson of Topeka. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Inurnment will take place in Sunrise Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Kaw Valley Amateur Radio Club Repeater Fund, 1221 S.W. 17th St., Topeka, KS 66604.