Gretchen Pratt, age 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 1st, 2019 surrounded by love. She was born in Great Bend, Kansas on December 4th, 1934. 

Gretchen graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1956. Gretchen was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority and a lifelong KU Alumni Member who loved her Jayhawks dearly. She then attended Duke University, graduating in 1958 with a master’s degree in Medical Library Science.

Gretchen Isern married Thomas K. Pratt in 1984. They were accomplished travelers and had many memorable adventures together through their travels around the world. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Donald and Jane Kendall, two sisters, Connie McIlrath and Carol Linscheid, her husband, Thomas K. Pratt and stepdaughter, Judith Pratt Toburen. 

She is survived by her four children, Betsy Guthrie, Amy Mulich, Molly Curtis and Chad Isern. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Margaret Pratt, Kelly Pratt, Susan Buck and Tom Pratt. She also had nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. She also leaves behind her beloved partner, Harlan Stamper and her sister Katherine Kendall. 

Gretchen requested no funeral but rather a Celebration of her Life for the immediate family.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 10, 2019