Dorothy Ann Prack

Dorothy Ann Nield Prack passed away peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones.  An Alum of Northwestern University, she was the Office Manager of Carson Pirie Scott in Chicago and later was a Statistical Manager for the US Dept of Commerce.  Dorothy was united in Marriage to George Prack; together they raised six children:  Dr. Peg Prack (Dr. Rob Peitzsch), Cathy (Steven) Weiss, Linda (Jeff) Fechner, Lorri, and Theresa (Scott) Elmer, and Daughter-in-law Jeanine Prack

Fifteen Grandchildren: Charlotte (Ed) Gallagher, Martin (Samantha) Weiss, Jonathan (Dr. Mehwish Qasim) Fechner, Nicholas Weiss, Jessica (Derrall) Moore, Steven (Kylee) Weiss, Samantha (Ryan) Murphy, Sara (Jordan) West, Jeffrey (Chelsea) Fechner, Jr., Shannon Weiss, Andrew (Fiancé Heather) Peitzsch, Ian Peitzsch, Jacqueline Fechner, Evelyn and Breanna Elmer.

Nine and soon to be ten Great Grandchildren: Edward Charles, Anna, and Gareth Gallagher, Inaya and Zayan Fechner, Natalie Murphy, Clara Weiss, Adlee Weiss, and Gracelyn West.

Dorothy is survived by her brother Edward Nield, cousins Darlene Ayres and Elaine Ayres and Barbara Prack, Michael Prack and Tom Prack, numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

Dorothy, an award-winning baker, enjoyed cooking and baking not only for her family, but also the neighborhood kids, churches, and schools.  She enjoyed canning quarts of tomatoes, cherries, peaches, and applesauce enough to last the winter for the family and extras on hand for the many treats and meals made at the last-minute requests from others. Her children’s and neighbor children’s lunch favorite were her homemade chicken soup and vegetable soup. She sewed and knitted clothing for her children, their dolls, and stuffed animals.  She took great pride that her husband wore numerous ties and suits that she tailored for him. Dorothy enjoyed attending social events, getting dressed up and going out on the town. Dorothy loved music from recording her own record as a teen to singing whenever and wherever she could. She loved to play ‘Spinning Wheel’ on the piano! Along with music, Dorothy loved to dance whether it was in the kitchen,  on the dance floor or square dancing with her husband. Christmas was exciting to find what home-made outfits, doll clothes, or stuffed animals were under the tree.  She was always willing to help at any event that could be found and making sure everything was cleaned.

The many happy-crazy times were when the grandchildren would be together at her home during the summers.  She enjoyed watching them play together. She couldn’t resist seeing and holding babies and little children.  She was a constant presence at sport games and happily cheered for both sides.  At school on grandparents’ day she “adopted” the students who didn’t have a grandparent, and the students often grabbed her hand before her own grandchild could get to her.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving husband, George, and her son, George Joseph, her sister, sister- in-law, brothers, and brothers-in-law.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Litte Sisters of the Poor, St. Rita of Cascia School, or Aurora Central Catholic High School. 

Services will be held privately.