Ethel Fern Prather

Ethel Fern (Kuykendall) Prather (92) was born on August 1, 1932, and died (with family by her side) on November 12, 2024. She was one of six children born to Andrew and Ethel Kuykendall of Wichita, KS: Glen, Andy, Ethel, Betty, David, and Donna. Three boys and three girls.

In 1953 she met William (Bill) Prather and within 6 months they were married. She worked at the phone company, but by 1955 they were both busy with raising their son, Forrest Alan Prather.

A few years later, the three of them moved to Washington, DC, and by 1966 a fourth was added to their family when Curtis William Prather was born.

Ethel was everyone's favorite aunt. She was often sunny and cheerful with great advice. She also hated her name.

In the early 2000s her wedding dress was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution in an effort to smooth out the Smithsonian's 20th century collection. Showing off the letter of acquisition was a big deal for Ethel.

Over 20 years ago she moved back to Wichita with her husband and older son. Ethel looked forward to being close to her family and their children; they brought her so much joy.

Instead of flowers, please donate to help eradicate DIPG; a disease which took the life of Madelyn Hartman (Ethel's great goddaughter) at the age of 7 back in 2019: donate here: https://chadtough.org/donate/

Ethel is survived by her younger son, Curtis, her two sisters, Betty and Donna, and a plethora of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and more, who she loved very much.

A Celebration of Life service will take place on Thursday November 21st 2024 at 10:00 am at Glenville Baptist Church 4604 S. Seneca St., Wichita, KS 67217. Internment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Eureka, KS.

Photo by Shannon Kunkle.