Lucille Marjorie Prater, of Plainville, KS, passed away on June 1, 2025, in Hays, KS, at the age of 98. She was born on February 4, 1927, to Carl and Barbara (Schauer) Pfannkuch in the family farmhouse in Phillips County, Kansas.
Raised during the Great Depression, Lucille learned the value of hard work at a young age. Whether it was harvesting wheat with scissors, milking the family’s famously temperamental cow before school, or helping at her parents' business after classes, Lucille’s industrious spirit remained steadfast throughout her life.
Lucille graduated from Logan High School with the Class of 1946. She married Leman Dwight Prater on December 14, 1947, in Hays, Kansas, beginning a loving union that would last 40 years until Leman’s passing in 1988.
Lucille’s career journey was as varied as it was impressive. She worked in local grocery stores—where she first met Dwight—and became a familiar face as a checker in both Logan and later C.O. Mammel’s in Plainville. She was also employed at Travenol, sold Avon, assisted her husband in his State Farm office, and eventually found her true calling in real estate. Lucille earned her Real Estate Broker’s license and opened her own business, Quality Real Estate, in Plainville, serving her community with care.
Despite her many professional accomplishments, Lucille’s heart always belonged to her family. She cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved tending to her flowers, visiting with friends, and making sure those around her felt loved and supported.
A life defined by dedication to family, hard work, and quiet resilience, Lucille leaves behind a legacy of love and service. She will be missed dearly and remembered always.
She is survived by her daughter, Dixie Prater Odum of Hays; son, Randy (Kim) Prater of Plainville; grandchildren: Shane Odum of Parker, CO, Sarah Odum of Wood-Ridge, NJ, Angie (John) Norton of Schoenchen, KS, Justin (Andee) Prater of Plainville; step-grandchildren, Tristan (Carissa) Houser of Hays, Trever (Kaelyn) Houser of Plainville, and Brianna (Dylan) Bloom of Wamego, KS; great-grandchildren, Jackson Norton and Corbyn Marquess; and step-great-grandchildren: Brooks Houser, Cole Anderson, and Cailyn Houser.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; stillborn sister; infant brother Erwin; sister, Maxine Zaltosky; and nephews, Craig and Ricky Zaltosky.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 11AM at the United Methodist Church in Plainville. Burial will follow at the Plainville Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, 5:30-8PM with the family receiving friends 5:30-6:30 at the funeral home in Plainville.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to United Methodist Church – Plainville and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.