Susan Carol "Susie" Pratt (Wheeler)

Susan (Susie) Carol Pratt passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, November 5th. Of all of Susie’s accomplishments she was most proud of her marriage of 39 years to Daniel V Pratt and of her children and their spouses, Bob & Holly Pranaat and Christy & Andy Martin. If you found yourself in a conversation with Susie she would always find ways to sneak in a little brag about her kids.

Susie was born on August 24th, 1962 to Danny & Jean Wheeler in Independence, Mo. She lived there till she went to Graceland College in 1980 where she met her husband Dan. Growing up she was a sassy child that was too independent for her own good, she was an active member in the local RLDS youth group and stayed in contact with some of those people throughout her entire life. She grew up with her sisters, Linda, Anita, & Cheryl, as well a large family tree of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins.

After attending Graceland Susie married Dan on June 19, 1982. Directly following the wedding they moved to Seattle where Susie supported Dan through his PhD and later went on to have their son Robert (Bob). Susie was always good at connecting with the church people around her and loved attending the Crystal Springs congregation. After Seattle, the family moved to Ames, Ia where their daughter Christina (Christy) was born. Over the next 10 years they would make homes in Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. Susie loved keeping in touch with her friends from across the United States. In 2000, Dan was offered the job at Graceland University and the family moved one last time. At Graceland, Susie worked at the bookstore, in Admissions, and for Development before she went on to teach in the Business Department. Around 2012, Susie decided to go back to get her teaching credentials.

Susie was a dynamic person with so much passion and drive. She loved history and enjoyed discovering her family genealogy. We remember her has the Mom that hummed Old, Old, Path to us as a lullaby. The caretaker that could cook a gourmet meal from scraps in the fridge. Who hated ketchup but obsessed over EB Sherman’s tomatoes every summer. The mom that would show her love through worrying and calling too often. The sister that would bring food after surgeries. The daughter that grew her own green pumpkin so she could make a green pumpkin pie from scratch. The wife that made a home feel like a home, that got spontaneous ideas of painting & decorating, or would move all of the furniture in the house by herself. But mostly we remember her strong, brave, and full of life. Susie was a beautiful person that struggled a lot with health in the last few years, and because of that we are grateful that she has found peace.

She is survived by her husband, Dan; son Bob (Holly Pranaat) of Rochester, NY; and daughter Christy (Andy Martin) of Kansas City; parents Dan & Jean Wheeler; siblings Linda (Manny) Hernandez, Anita (Ron) Simon, Cheryl Schultz and a huge extended family of cousins and church friends.


In Susie’s memory, the family suggests donations to be made to RAINN or to the Lamoni Food Pantry.