Frances Janet Pracheil was born to Ruben and Avalene
(Byrd) Gibson near Mahaska, KS at her Grandparent’s house on February
17, 1932. She passed away peacefully on April 2, 2014 at Fairview Manor
in Fairmont, NE at the age of 82 years, 1 month and 14 days. She was
the oldest of 4 children.
Frances grew up
on farms near Reynolds and Gilead NE, attending grade school at
District 94 near Gladstone, NE and graduated from Reynolds High School
in 1949. She then worked at the Gilead grocery store and later moved to
Fairbury, NE where she lived with her Uncle Lawrence and Aunt Gladys
Byrd and worked at Dr. Neville’s dental office.
Frances
was married to Ernest A Pracheil of Exeter, NE on February 26, 1952 at
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gilead, NE. To this union 3 children
were born. They raised their family and enjoyed life with family and
friends on their farm between Exeter and Milligan, NE. Frances
volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother and a 4H leader. She was an active
member of the Milligan Legion Auxiliary and worked for the Head Start
program in Exeter, driving the bus, cooking and cleaning. She was a
member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church & Altar Society in
Milligan, NE until moving to Exeter. She then became a member of the
St. Stephen’s Catholic Church and Altar Society in Exeter, NE. She
also served on the advisory board for the Exeter Senior Center starting
in August 2010.
In November, 1987, Frances and
Ernie retired and moved to Exeter, NE. They spent many winters in
McAllen, Texas enjoying the warm weather and many new friendships.
Hobbies
that Frances enjoyed were gardening, quilting and oil painting. She
always enjoyed having visits from her family, and playing Bingo and
cards with her friends. When she lived on the farm, Frances always grew
a large garden, canned fruit and vegetables and raised chickens. She
had beautiful flower gardens which no chicken dared to go near. She was
a great cook and no one ever left her house hungry.
Frances
was preceded in death by her husband Ernest Pracheil; her parents Ruben
and Avalene Gibson; an infant brother Kenneth Ray Gibson; and her step
father James Haney.
She is survived by
her children Cathy (Gary) Dick of Geneva, NE; Michael Pracheil of
Kinsley, KS; Betty (Rick) Buerer of Kearney, NE; grandchildren and great
grandchildren Ryan (Michelle), Walker, Alexia, Logan & Lauren Dick
of Hebron, NE; Craig (Alissa), Crosby & Rennon Dick of Humbolt, IA;
Suzanne (Adam) Wicklund of Commerce City, CO; Blake Pracheil of Kinsley,
KS; Quinn Pracheil of Kinsley, KS; Amber (Nick), Lane, Adrianna, &
Parker Alexander of Kearney, NE; Austin, Diego & Sergio Buerer of
Kearney, NE; Aric (Megan) Buerer of Kearney, NE; Adam (fiancé Stephanie
Coello) & Roman Buerer of Kearney, NE; siblings Robert (Shirley)
Gibson of Jansen, NE; Doris (Joseph) Huber of Seward, NE; and many
nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
