Dorthy Pracht

Dorthy Pracht age 97 of Broken Bow, NE passed away April 14, 2022, at the Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell, NE.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow, NE. Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Gideons, Alzheimer’s, or One Great Hour of Sharing Ukraine Relief. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 19th, from 10:00 am to service time at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.

Dorthy L. (Leone) (Fox) Pracht

Born: April 9, 1925

Married: June 27, 1945 (on Howard’s birthday)

Died: Thursday, April 14, 2022,     Age: 97 Years - 5 Days

at Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell, NE

Dorthy was born the second child to Clyde and Anna (Parker) Fox in rural Custer County, near Ansley. Her older sister was several years older, so Dorthy was much like an oldest child. She worked hard as a farm kid. After finishing public school, she studied at Chadron State College earning a teaching certificate.

She was teaching in a Custer County rural school (in which were enrolled Erma, Norma, Lloyd, and Donna May Pracht). The Pracht kids invited the teacher to their home for supper. There Dorthy met Howard (who worked the farm with his dad rather than attending school).

They married on Howard’s birthday at her parent’s home (with few attending, because of heavy rain). Over the years, Dorthy helped Howard farm two farmsteads, near Weissert, and near Westerville. The young couple cared for Howard’s paternal grandmother in their home. Later were born to them sons Eugene and Dale.

She left the farm life when the Westerville farm was sold and the family of four moved to Broken Bow. She was a provider while Howard studied at Milford Trade School and helped him run Arrow Radio and Television in Broken Bow. She launched her own business in Broken Bow, Keystone Bookstore, at several locations in the city. She was still open for business after Howard died and until her fight with dementia turned against her. She moved to the Broken Bow Care and Rehab Center to receive care, when living alone was no longer safe. The closing of the Center required another move to Callaway Nursing Home, and one more move to Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell, where she was living until her death. She celebrated her 97^th birthday April 9^th, with son, Dale and daughters-in-law Alice, and Kaylene. But she had clearly declined in health. Asera Care Hospice was engaged and after only a few days she declined rapidly and was lovingly and professionally cared for in her last days and hours by the Center and Asera Care.

Dorthy was proceeded in death by her parents Clyde and Anna (Parker) Fox, two sisters Florence Crawford, and Edna Bauer, brother Carl Fox, her husband Howard, son Eugene, daughters-in-law Nancy Stithem, and Gretta Kohl.

Dorthy is survived by son Dale and spouse Alice of Norfolk, daughter-in-law Kaylene of Broken Bow, five grandchildren: Charles Pracht, LeAnna (Jerry) Lukas, Tara (Greg) Harmsen, Jennifer (Benjamin) Randolph, and Adam (Amber) Pracht, 13 great grandchildren: Kyla Lowewenstein, Joslyn Lowewenstein, Lindsey Schukei, Eli Randolph, Noah Randolph, Justin Lukas, Jenna Lukas, Chelsea Kohl, Hunter Harmsen, Brandon Harmsen, Acacia Pracht, Eian Pracht, and Maia Pracht, many nieces, and nephews.

She was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and lived out her faith through congregations in Westerville Methodist Church and Broken Bow First Baptist Church, and through the international scripture distribution work of the Gideons.

Her family will miss her but are comforted by the promise of new life in Christ, which we invite all reading this obituary to find and follow.