Gwenda L. Pratt

Gwenda L. Pratt of Colorado Springs, age 84, died March 28, 2014, at her home in Colorado Springs. She is survived by her sister Virginia Rexroad of Hutchinson Kansas; two sons, Craig and his wife Terri, Randy and his wife Kelly, and a daughter, Pamela Herr and her husband Mike; as well as numerous nephews and nieces. She is also survived by three faithful dogs: Indy, Bette and Charlie.

Gwen was born June 2, 1929, to the late F.W. Guild and Halcyone Guild of Winfield, Kansas. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

Gwen was married to Theodore W. Pratt in 1953 in Denver Colorado. Through the next 58 years, they lived in various cities throughout the southeastern United States and in Italy, Germany and Turkey. She has lived in Colorado Springs since 1972.

Gwen was passionate about the education of young children. She showed many a young mind how to think, explore and wonder. Gwen impacted many students in her career as a counselor at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, a kindergarten teacher at Cherry Hills Elementary in Englewood, Colorado, and a preschool teacher at White House Ranch (now Rock Ledge Ranch). She was also the creator of the ‘Dino Van’ a mobile dinosaur education center. Gwen ran a preschool at Sondermann Park and conducted summer programs for the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department. Hundreds of Colorado Springs children were impacted by these programs. Children rarely left in clean clothes but were always deeply enriched by the experience. Gwen also shared her love of children and all things natural as the co-director of Beidleman Environmental Center. Gwen was a director of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Summit Youth programs for over 20 years. Her NWF family gave her many years of rich experiences, love and laughter.

From her children, her extended family, many friends and her faithful dogs, Gwen had a way of making everyone feel special.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 5, at 11 AM, at Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Pikes Peak Hopice, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 or visit the following website- https://www.pikespeakhospice.org/about-pphpc/about-foundation/make-a-contribution. Donations may also be sent to the YMCA of the Rockies in Estas Park: Website- http://ymcarockies.org/ select “Give” on the main menu. You can mail a donation to YMCA of the Rockies, 2515 Tunnel Road, Estes Park Colorado, 80511, or call toll free 877-686-9968.