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Sylvester Venus Pratt's birthplace of Crescent, Iowa is just northeast of Omaha, Nebraska. He was the third of fifteen children born to Sylvester Valentine and Margaret Currie Pratt.

The marriage of Sylvester Venus Pratt and Emma Caroline Jensen took place October 14, 1913 in Omaha, Nebraska. Emma was born April 3, 1885 in Orum, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Danish immigrants Hans Christian and Dorothea M Christiansen Jensen of Orum, Nebraska.

Sylvester and Emma were blessed with six children: Dorothea Margaret, Helen Lucille, Leland Robert, Gordon Harold, Blanche Mae and twin William Carol who died shortly after birth. All of the children were born in Washington County, Nebraska. William Carol is the only family member, of this generation, buried in Nebraska.

Sylvester was a corn and pig farmer as a 'cash rent' tenant in Orum, Nebraska until a bad crop in 1921 forced him out of business. He then worked as an agricultural laborer for a gentleman named 'Browning' until about 1925. In 1925, he started work for the County Government as a driver of a 'maintainer' (used to grade roads). He then bought a truck of his own and began to haul cattle and hogs from Bancraft, Nebraska to Omaha, Nebraska and Sioux City, Iowa. In 1933, the depression caused him to lose his truck. He then moved his family to McCracken, Kansas to work for his brother, Herman Pratt, who was a farmer there. The 1930's were hard times for most families in Kansas. He worked on the Work Project Administration (WPA) for several years starting in 1935. About 1942, he began working for the city of McCracken, Kansas as a general laborer. He worked at this job until 1947.

Sylvester suffered from asthma for most of his life. He was diagnosed in 1947 of having an enlarged heart. He and his wife then moved to Topeka, Kansas with their youngest daughter Blanche in 1947. Blanche supported Sylvester and Emma by working at the Phone Company. Sylvester lived the final three years of his life in Topeka. Sylvester and Emma kept their faith and God provided. Both were members of the Assembly of God Church.

Sylvester Venus Pratt died February 6, 1950, in Topeka, Kansas, at the age of 65 of an enlarged heart. Emma Caroline Jensen Pratt died September 1, 1977, in Ellinwood, Kansas at the age of 92. They are buried, side by side, in Topeka, Kansas. Their son, Gordon, is buried close to their grave site at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum.

They are remembered often and missed greatly by the remaining family. We have thrived, in a great part, due to their love, prayers and sacrifices. Sylvester had bright blue eyes and 'coal black' hair. He was 5 foot 8 inches tall and was generally heavy set.

Written by: Granddaughter, Connie Schwindt Rumold

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OBITUARY - Newspaper Notice of Death
SYLVESTER V. PRATT
Sylveter V. Pratt, 65, of 1130 Monroe died early Monday at his home after an illness of two years.

He was born in Underwood, Ia., April 18, 1884, and was a member of Assembly of God church.

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Emma Pratt.
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Funeral Memory Card

IN MEMORY OF
Sylvester V. Pratt
Born: April 18, 1884

Date of Death: February 5, 1950

Services from: Parker Mortuary

Clergyman Officiating: Rev. O.W. Hollis

Interment: Memorial Park Cemetery

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Son-In-Law: Daniel Paul Smith, Jr