Teresa Elizabeth Prather

Teresa Elizabeth Barclay Prather, age 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 18, 2011, atLakeviewVillage,Lenexa,Kansas.

Teresa was born April 12, 1921 inTopeka,Kansasto Guy E. and Elizabeth Schoenfeld Barclay. After graduating fromTurnerHigh Schoolin 1937, she attended theUniversityofKansasfor 2 years. Teresa then transferred toChillicotheBusinessCollegewhere she was an honor graduate and homecoming queen. She worked in the Office of the War Production Board during WWll. Teresa married Elwin R. Prather, DVM in 1946 after a whirlwind courtship. Elwin (Prath), a veterinarian, had just returned from Army service in the WWII Burma campaign. They were married 57 years and were a great team during Prath's 36 year career in the Army Veterinary Corps. They enjoyed a vibrant life together which included over 15 military moves and raising 4 children. She had great business sense and was a consummate volunteer - improving every organization from Boy Scouts to raising money for others through the Army-wide Thrift Shop system. Teresa had all the attributes of a terrific military wife - an uncomplaining nature, a can-do spirit, and a love of adventure. She was a very patriotic American.

Central to Teresa's life were her family and friends. She adored her 2 sisters, Ursula Barclay Engelmann (J.D.) and Mary Ann Barclay Matney (Bob) and their families. She very much loved Prath's large family and her Barclay and Schoenfeld cousins. She valued and stayed in touch with her many local and world-wide friends.

Teresa thoroughly enjoyed her 13 years living independently atLakeviewVillage. She continued volunteering forLakeviewVillage, her DAR Chapter and Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Teresa was preceded in death by her parents and step-mother, Helen; husband Prath; sister Ursula and brothers-in-law, J.D. and Bob; and nephew Jerry Engelmann. She is survived by her sister Mary Ann Barclay Matney; her 4 children Pamela Frye (Tom) of Lenexa, KS; Kent Prather (Kathy) of Topeka, KS; Susan Ripple(Gary, MD) of Westwood Hills, KS; and David Prather(Jody). She was very proud of her 11 grandchildren and their spouses: Jesse Prather (Jamie), Bryan Frye (Christa), Todd Prather (Dawn), Christine Frye, Emily Ripple Rudolph (Travis), Graham Ripple and Luke, Max, Sam, Marilyn and Madeline Prather. Her 5 great grandchildren - Kendall, Calvin, Eliana, Avery and Owen - continuously thrilled her.

Visitation and Services

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, September 29, 2011, 1:00 p.m. at Lakeview Village Heritage Room, 9100 Park St., LenexaKS66215with a reception following. Burial will be on Friday, September 30th, 2011, at noon at the Lake of the Ozarks (near Barclay Hill) at Old Saint Patrick's Church Cemetery, Road "O", Laurie, MO.

Contributions

Memorials may be directed to Tomahawk Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, c/o 7612 West 149th St., Overland Park, KS 66223 or the Prather Education Memorial , Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 103 Trotter Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506.