Dennis Deane Pratt Obituary (1956

Dennis Deane Pratt, 60, of Knoxville, IA, died at 9:45 A.M. on Monday, November 14, 2016 at Accura Care Center of Knoxville. He was born on January 5, 1956 in Keosauqua to Darrell and Janet White Pratt. He married Beverly Forbes on August 7, 1976 in Le Grand, IA (they later divorced) and they share a daughter, Kelly Pratt. Dennis grew up on the family farm north of Bonaparte, Iowa. He helped on the farm and worked at his grandparents' store, White's Shopping Center, while attending school. He participated in the Special Olympics, and played percussion in band. He attended Harmony Schools for elementary and graduated from Van Buren High School in 1975. From there, he enrolled at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa where he earned a welding certification and was employed by Vermeer in Pella where he worked as a welder for 11 years. He was employed by the Christian Opportunity Center (C.O.C.) in Pella and worked at Hardee's and Happy Joe's through the C.O.C. program and later moved to Knoxville. Dennis enjoyed spending time with his daughter, fishing at the Red Rock dam, and working at his job at the C.O.C. in Pella. He loved to fish and hunt, especially Morel mushrooms. He enjoyed reading magazines, building model ships, working on jigsaw puzzles, swimming, and playing Battleship and chess. Dennis was a nice, kind and gentle man who was a great hugger. He was a trusting, hardworking, and loving person who made friends with anyone he met. And he had a laugh that his sisters and nieces will always remember echoing throughout their family's farm house. He is survived by his daughter, Kelly Pratt, and her fiance, Jeff Koster, of Le Grand; five sisters: Dena Pratt of Dexter, IA, Diana Howe (Mark) of Mukilteo, WA, Darcy Pratt of Woodinville, WA, Dee Auxier (Jeff) of Aurora, IL, and Deborah Van Dorin (Scott) of St. Charles, IL; four nieces; two great-nephews; and many cousins, aunts, and uncles. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Darrell and Janet White Pratt; his grandparents, Rollo and Helen McComb White and Worthy and Ethel Vera Harper Pratt; and his brother-in-law, Ronald Sanders. There will be two visitation services for Dennis. The first one will be held from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Thursday, November 17, 2016, at the Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville. Dennis' family will be greeting friends from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Thursday. A second visitation for Dennis will open at 3:00 P.M. Friday at the Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua. Burial will be in Dibble Cemetery at Stockport with his parents. Memorials to Special Olympics, Pella Christian Opportunity Center or Tenco may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at 3N868 Baert Road, St. Charles, IL 60175.