Vernon Pratt

Vernon Floyd Pratt passed away in Moscow, Idaho on December 11, 2018.  He was born on December 14, 1933 to Emma Daumke Pratt and Harold David Pratt of Germania Township, Todd County, Minnesota, their 8th and youngest child.  He attended Rural District 97, just down the road from his parent’s farm, a schoolhouse which his father had helped build. After completing 8th grade, he continued in Clarissa Public School, Clarissa, Minnesota, graduating in 1951.  Vernon was a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church where he attended Sunday School and was confirmed.

Vernon farmed with his father for a number of years, later joining his brother, Oliver, in Geraldine, Montana.  The brothers owned and operated a gas station and garage, repairing cars and farm machinery.  In the mid-60’s, they bought an Allis Chalmers dealership in Moscow, Idaho. Vernon worked as the head mechanic, spending summers out in the grain fields of the Palouse, helping farmers keep their combines and tractors in shape during harvest.

 Another brother, Roy, joined the partnership in 1970.  On December 2, 1972, Vernon married May Gustin; they enjoyed camping, gardening together, fishing and spending time with May’s children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends around Moscow and back in Minnesota.  They created a large garden with fruit trees and enjoyed it very much.

Vernon is survived by his stepdaughter, Kay Hanchett, stepson Lanny Gustin, their families, as well as sister Eunice Marose, sister Dorothy Anderson, brother-in-law Howard Anderson, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and great grandchildren.  Vernon was a man who thrived on hard work and took satisfaction from a job well done.  He was a very skilled mechanic and a loving husband and family man.  Vernon connected with the people around him and appreciated them.  His family in turn appreciated his kind acceptance and obvious enjoyment of their company.  Despite poor health in his final years, Vernon was an inspiration to his family.

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things….love never fails...and now abide faith, hope and love, these three;  but the greatest of these is love.” Corinthians 13.

A memorial service for Vernon will be at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 2nd at Concordia Lutheran Church, 1015 NE Orchard Dr., Pullman.

Vernon and May will be laid to rest at the Moscow Cemetery at 2:00 PM, Friday, March 1st

The family suggests memorials be made to the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department or to Concordia Lutheran Church.

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