Todd R. "Sunny" Pruett, age 49, of West Bend, passed away with his loving family by his side on Sunday, July 4, 2010 at V.A. Puget Sound Medical Center in Seattle, Washington after a courageous battle with MDS. With no fear, his journey and life work continue on in heaven with his mother and other loved ones by his side.
He was born on August 11, 1960 in Appleton, WI to Richard and Bernadine (Nee Brockman) Pruett and moved to West Bend at an early age with his family. Todd graduated from West Bend East High School in the class of 1979. He then attended Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina on a baseball scholarship and then UW-Oshkosh where he played baseball and football. He went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army Special Forces. Upon his honorable discharge from the military he rejoined the family business, Pruett's Floor Covering in Saukville. He later worked as a sales executive for Guaranteed Screen Printing in West Bend, and was presently working as a senior sales consultant/project manager for JT Roofing of Saukville.
On September 3, 1989, Todd was united in marriage to Patrice Lynn Andrews at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in West Bend. They purchased his parents' home in West Bend where they spent the years raising their family. Todd found joy in maintaining an immaculate yard and caring for his Irish Setter.
Todd was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, American Legion Lt. Ray Dickop Post #36, and the Loyal Order of the Moose Wytheville, VA Post.
His passion in life was for athletics, especially, baseball. He lettered in four different sports while in High School where he also earned a State record in baseball for pitching three "no hitters" in a single season. Todd's passion continued by coaching youth baseball, football, wrestling while always lending a helping hand to anyone in need, especially the youth of our community.
Todd is survived by his wife, Patrice; four sons, Tanner, Trevor and Turner Pruett and Brandon Spaeth; father, Richard Pruett of West Bend; two sisters, Jodi (Frank) Micale of Neenah and Maurie (David) Osgood of West Bend; two brothers, Tim (Donna Techel) Pruett of Slinger and Jay Pruett of West Bend; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many close loving friends. Todd was preceded in death by his mother Bernadine "Bernie" Pruett; mother-in-law, Doris Andrews; other uncles and aunts. Funeral services in remembrance of Todd will be held on Monday, July 12, 2010 at 7:00 pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1044 Silverbrook Drive, West Bend. Rev. Pamela Marolla will officiate. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 4:00 pm until the time of the service. Entombment in Washington County Memorial Park will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 am with family and friends meeting at Our Savior's Lutheran Church by 10:30 am. Memorials to the family or Our Savior's Lutheran Church are appreciated.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to our church family, the doctors and nurses of the VA Puget Sound Medical Center, and to his very dear friend and caregiver, Don Benvenuto and family. We would also invite those who wish to share their stories or leave a memory of Todd to do so at www.caringbridge.org/visit/toddpruett.