Ellen "Tootie" Bertha Pratt

Ellen "Tootie" Bertha Pratt, age 94, of rural Remsen passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at Accura Healthcare of Le Mars, IA.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, July 14, 2025 at Christ Lutheran Church LCMS in Remsen, with Pastor Matt Martin officiating. Burial will follow at the Remsen Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be Sunday July 13, 2025 from 5-7p.m., there will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen. Visitation will resume 1 hour prior to the funeral on Monday at the church. Condolences may be sent online at www.fischfh.com

Ellen was born on September 8, 1930, the daughter of Elmer and Bertha (Grage) Steffen of Remsen. She was raised in rural Remsen and graduated from Union Consolidated School in 1948. She married her high school sweetheart and classmate, Orlin Pratt, on January 15, 1952 at Christ Lutheran Church in Remsen. Ellen was a member of Remsen Christ Lutheran all of her 94 years. Orlin passed away December 10, 2021, just shy of their 70th anniversary.

Ellen grew up and lived her entire life on the farm south of Remsen. She loved the country life. She always had a big garden and chickens in her younger years. She was a talented cook and loved baking, brownies and pumpkin pie were a specialty. But she also enjoyed McDonalds carmel frappes and a fish sandwich on grocery days. She had an eye for fashion and loved having her hair fixed. She was kind, beautiful, funny, and a tough cookie.

She always watched the evening news and the weather report. She enjoyed the Lawrence Welk Show, watching all Iowa State and Iowa sporting events, especially the Caitlin Clark era. She also enjoyed getting groceries at Fareway with the scooter or the 'grocery getter’ as she called it.

Ellen truly loved her family. She was a great Mom, an amazing Grandma, and a proud Great Grandmother. We will miss her greatly but the life lessons she taught us will live on, especially her longevity secret of "Get up everyday with a purpose!"

Grateful to have shared her life are her four children, two daughters and two sons: Janell (Rick) Felts of LeMars, IA, Steven (Melecia) Pratt of Remsen, IA, Scott (Tamie) Pratt of Remsen, IA, and Jill (Doug) Utesch of Kinglsey, IA.

Ellen was blessed with nine Grandchildren: Jeff (Brianne) Felts, Brandon (Stephanie) Felts, Chad (Kayla) Pratt, Katy Pratt, Justin (Savanna) Pratt, Cody (Beth) Pratt, Austin Pratt, Jordan (Ashlyn) Utesch, and Jake Utesch. Eight Great Grandchildren were the icing on the cake: Brody Felts, Emersyn Felts, Izabel Felts, Hudsyn Felts, Laikyn Felts, Aiden Pratt, Draven Pratt, Rayne Pratt and Harper Pratt.

Ellen is survived by a sister-in-law Rosemary Steffen Liesner, brother-in-law Richard (Donna) Pratt and many nieces and nephews.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her mother and father-in-law George and Mary (Conley) Pratt, brothers Vernon Steffen and Everald (Lois) Steffen, brothers-in-law: Wyndom (Charlotte) Pratt, Donald (Vonnie) Pratt, Lyle (Marian) Pratt, Clarence (Dorothy) Pratt, and Robert (Pat) Pratt. Her sisters-in-law, Erma (Leonard) Plendl, Iona (Justin) Sudtelgte and Dorothy (Wendel) Rainboth.