Vicki Prentis October 21, 1950-March 4, 2012
Funeral services for Vicki Prentis, age 61, of Clarinda, Iowa, who entered into peace Sunday, March 4, 2012, at Bryan LGH East, Lincoln, Nebraska, were held Thursday, March 8, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church, Clarinda, Iowa with Reverend Andrew Rubenking officiating. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the Vicki Prentis Memorial Fund which will be distributed to the Faith Food and Fellowship and to a fund for Garfield students. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on their website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda.
Vicki Lou Prentis was born October 21, 1950, the third daughter of Richard and Marjorie (Webb) Prentis in Creston, Iowa. She was welcomed home by big sisters Ellen and Kathy. Vicki passed away March 4, 2012 at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. Vicki graduated from Mount Ayr Community high school with the class of 1968 and from Ottawa College in Ottawa, Kansas with the class of 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. After teaching for many years, she furthered her education with a master’s degree in counseling from Northwest Missouri State University in 1987.
Vicki taught third grade in McCook, Nebraska and moved to Clarinda in 1976, where she taught fourth grade for the Clarinda school system. In 1989 she became the elementary guidance counselor, retiring in 2010.
Cindy Wynn became a close friend when Vicki moved to Clarinda. When Cindy built a new home, she invited Vicki to reside with her. Cindy passed away suddenly in 2003. Clarinda friends were as close as family to Vicki. She was active in her church, Faith, Food & Fellowship, PEO, Red Hats, Card Dolphins, working with the Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop, ISEA and NEA, American Cancer Society, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, B & B Bridge Group and she also enjoyed singing in the church choir. Vicki loved telling Sven & Ole stories, and was known as the ‘Pun Queen.’
Preceding Vicki in death were her parents, Richard and Marjorie Prentis; both sets of grandparents; best friend, Cindy Wynn, and beloved cat Dezi.
Left to cherish Vicki’s memory are her two sisters, Ellen Powell and husband Everett and Kathryn Wittmann; nephews, Randy Gregg and wife Marcy, Curtis Wittmann and wife Lauren and Michael Wittmann; nieces, Chandra Timlin and husband Robb and Christine Wittmann-Brady and husband Roscoe; great-nieces, Leah Clymer, Rebecca and Rachel Gregg and Elinore and Beatrice Wittmann-Brady; great-nephews, Ryan Gregg, Jordan Clymer and Henry Nentwich-Wittmann; a great-great nephew, Jace Bryant; a cat named George, and hundreds of students she taught and counseled along with many beloved friends.
Vicki’s family, friends and the community of children will miss her wit, humor and love of life.
She will live on in their hearts forever.
