Judith Prohaska

Judith “Judy” Prohaska, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2026, at her home in Atchison, Kansas. She was born on November 29, 1945, in Atchison, Kansas, the daughter of Fred Hayes and Berniece (Biggenwalt) Hayes.

Judy attended Rushville Elementary School and graduated from Atchison High School. She was a homemaker and housewife, and she gave herself fully to the care of her home and family. Those who knew her will remember a spontaneous spirit and a generous heart. She was very giving to her friends and family, and to anyone she met.

She found joy in many simple and beautiful parts of life. Judy loved art and was always drawing on napkins or any piece of paper she could find. She was adventurous and enjoyed traveling and driving around, sometimes with no particular destination in mind. She and Ray especially loved taking drives to parks and wildlife areas to enjoy nature together. She also enjoyed fishing, loved her flower gardens, and looked forward each spring to planting fresh flowers. At any point, Judy loved to burst out singing. Her pets were always very dear to her throughout her entire life.

Above all, Judy will be remembered with love by her family. She is survived by her husband, Raymond Prohaska, with whom she shared fifty-five years of marriage after they were married on May 5, 1971. She also leaves her children: Rick and Rhonda Cairo, Michael and Roberta Cairo, Frank and Paula Prohaska, Angela and Keith Clemens, Christy and Derek Noll, and James and Stephanie Prohaska; and her nineteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. Her love, warmth, and giving nature will remain a lasting gift to all who knew her.

Family was at the center of Judy’s life, and she loved all her nieces and nephews and treasured every chance to visit with them and spend time together. Judy had honorary family members that she treated like family, including Meredith, and her daughters, Jillissa and Kelley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Norman Hayes, Walter Hayes, Patty Negonsott and Barbara Gilliland.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Private Family Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Judy tragically lost a family member, Marc Beyer, and would direct any memorial donations in her memory to assist with his expenses and can be left to the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home who will be assisting the family.