Bertha A. Prather

Bertha A. Prather, 96, of Rockford, passed away on February 3, 2013 surrounded by her family. Born on April 7, 1916 in Chicago, she was the daughter of William and Ada (Faltz) Taylor.

She moved to Rockford to attend Rockford Women’s College (now Rockford College). She met Gordon C. Prather when she was coaching the Rockford Women’s Basketball Team. Bert and Gordon were married on August 16, 1941. They had seven children during 18 years of marriage. She was widowed in 1959.

After the youngest of her children was school age, Bert went to work for the Rockford Public Library, where she retired in 1986 as a Librarian in the children’s department.

Bert was proud to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in English from Rockford College in 1938 and continued as an active Alumna, receiving “Alumna of the Year” in 1965 and the most prestigious award given, “The Talcott Cross” in 1993. She was also an active member, volunteer, patron or donor to many groups, including; Girl Scouts of America, RVC Starlight & Studio Theatre, Rockford Women’s Basketball, Phantom Regiment, RAYSO, Hunger Connections (received the Distinguished Individual Award in 2000 at the Mayor’s Luncheon), Rockford Public Library Retirees, Rockford Urban Ministries, Rockford Archaeology Association, Lyric Opera, Friends of the Library, Rockford International Student Fellowship, Up With People, New American Theater, Ensemble Theater, Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Edgewater Association, CLR, Rockford Arts Council, Camerato Emanon Singers, and many others.

As a world traveller, she visited Guatemala, Sweden, Belize, Germany, Mexico, Israel, Egypt, China, Russia, England, Greece, India, and Australia. She went on Caribbean, Seven Sea, and Alaskan Cruises and a Scientific Cruise up the Amazon River.

Her home was the Host Home for many foreign students and non-local groups for over 50 years during and after raising her seven children.

She was the best friend, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother in the world, an Amazing and Incredible Woman.

She is survived by her children, Joel (Jan), Veena "Bunny", Bill, Dick (Gloria), Kim Arnold, Jack; son in law, Chuck Jansen; grandchildren, Gordy, Heidi, Nicole, Ted, Ananda, Coral, Teri, Kate, Chris, Arian, Amy, Vicki, Jeremy, Taylor, and Amber; 21 great grandchildren.

Bert was predeceased by her husband, Gordon, her parents and her daughter, Holly Jansen.

A service to celebrate Bertha’s life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Road, Machesney Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to be made to the Bert Prather Memorial Fund, Associated Bank, 622 Roosevelt Road, Machesney Park, IL 61115, established to continue her giving to the community she loved. Condolences may be sent to the family at sunsetfhmemgardens.com.