Bernie Pracht

Leona Bernadette Pracht, age 95, of Westphalia, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2019 at the Anderson County Residential Center, Garnett, Kansas.

Bernie was born August 20, 1924 to John and Rosa Helena (Heisterkamp) Schwarzkopf on the family farm at Greeley, Kansas. She was the fourth of five children born to John and Rosa. Bernie graduated as Valedictorian of her class from Greeley High School. Following high school she worked at Graves Drug Store in Garnett. She met her future husband, Wayne at a dance. Frederick “Wayne” Pracht, Sr. and Bernie were married on January 29, 1946 at the Holy Angels rectory in Garnett. This union was blessed with six children.

Bernie had great admiration for Saint Bernadette, the little girl that the Blessed Virgin appeared to at Lourdes. She asked to be called Bernadette when she started school. Her faith was of utmost importance to her, and she passed it on to her family. She was a faithful member of St. Teresa Catholic Church, Westphalia, where she served on the parish council and taught religious education.

Family, faith and farming were the essence of Bernie’s life. She was a devoted wife, mother, homemaker and caregiver to her family. She also served as a 4-H cooking leader and former EHU member. She and Wayne enjoyed dancing, playing cards and spending time with their neighbors.

Bernie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne on July 29, 2010; two sisters, Florence Lickteig and husband, Ike and Rosan Sommer and husband, Dick; two brothers, Alvin Schwarzkopf and George Schwarzkopf and wife, Wilma; half-sister, Anna Greenwalt and husband, Walt; half-brother, Paul Schwarzkopf; and a son-in-law, Melvin Adams.

She is survived by her children, Fred Pracht and wife, Cindy of Kansas City, Missouri; Donna McCarty and husband, Doug of Garnett, Kansas; David Pracht and wife, Mary of Westphalia, Kansas; Bill Pracht and wife, Ruth of Westphalia, Kansas; Mary Adams of Garnett, Kansas; John Pracht and wife, Reva of Westphalia, Kansas; twenty-one grandchildren; thirty-three great grandchildren plus one on the way; and seven step great grandchildren; and one step great-great granddaughter.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, September 5, 2019, at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Westphalia, Kansas. Burial will follow in the St. Teresa Cemetery. The family will greet friends following a rosary and wake service at 6:30 PM on Wednesday evening at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Teresa Church Building Fund or to the Anderson County Hospital Residential Living Center. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .