Wayne Pracht

Frederick Wayne Pracht, Sr., age 87, of Westphalia, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Wayne was born on August 12, 1922, in Elmdale, Kansas, the son of Fred O. and Nettie Frances (Harder) Pracht. He grew up in the Elk Community near Elmdale. He graduated from Cottonwood Falls High School. Wayne moved to the Westphalia community in 1939. On January 28, 1946, he was united in marriage to L. Bernadette Schwarzkopf at Garnett, Kansas. This union was blessed with six children. Wayne was a farmer, stockman, and business man. He was active in the community and 4-H. He served as an Anderson County Commissioner for 16 years, from 1964 to 1980, during this time he served as President of Kansas County Commissioners Association and as President of the Kansas Association of Counties; in 2000 he received the Kansas Master Farmer award. He was also a part owner of Valley R Farm Service. He was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Westphalia; in his early years he was a member of the Maple Grove School Board. Throughout the years, Wayne and Bernie enjoyed playing cards with neighbors and friends, and dancing. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Marjorie Hunt and Merle Hawkins; and a son-in-law, Melvin Adams. He is survived by his wife, Bernie Pracht, of the home; Fred Pracht and wife Cindy of Wichita, Kansas; 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; nineteen great grandchildren; and four step great grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, August 2, 2010, at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Westphalia, Kansas. Burial will follow in the St. Teresa Cemetery. Wayne will lie in state from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 1, 2010, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service chapel in Garnett. The family will greet friends following a wake service at 7:00 PM on Sunday evening at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Teresa Church Building Fund or to the Anderson County Hospital Foundation.