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FERNALEE “FERN’’ PRATER

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Fernalee “Fern’’ Prater, 80, of Lebanon, died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Lebanon.

She was born April 15, 1940, in Naylor, Mo. to Otha and Dorothy Barnes Decker.

In 1956 she married Willard Von Prater.

She was preceded in death by her husband Von; her beloved son, Terry Don; daughter-in-law, Lisa; parents, Otha and Dorothy Decker; one sister, Marjorie Hammett; and one brother, Harold Decker.

Fern always worked as a switchboard operator or receptionist. She loved it because she enjoyed visiting with people. She loved traveling and spending time with her sisters. She also enjoyed live music shows. However, time spent with her family is what she treasured most.

She is survived by one daughter, Karen “Susie” Johnson and her husband Mark; four grandchildren, Melissa Hill and her husband Zack, Stephanie Nixdorf and her husband David, Kyle Johnson and his wife Sarah and Tyler Johnson and his wife Kristen; eight great-grandchildren, Chloe and Anthony Prater, Fisher and Hunter Nixdorf, Kyle and Bob Hill and Riley and Silas Johnson; one great-great-granddaughter, Esther Mae; two sisters, Joanne Lunsford and Linda Walter and her husband Art; brother-in-law, Glen Hammett; sister-in-law, Polly Foreman Ray and her husband Lee; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

A private funeral service for Fernalee “Fern’’ Prater will be held Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, with Richard Prater officiating. Burial will be in Mount Rose Memorial Park, under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. Friends and family may pay their respects after 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel. To sign the guestbook online please visit shadelscolonialchapel.com. Under the guidelines of the CDC and the state of Missouri, the staff of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel ask that you observe social distancing and proper hygiene. The family asks for their safety and the safety of others, that masks be worn. Those guidelines will be monitored during this time to accommodate the family and their wishes. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to Fernalee’s great-granddaughter, Kylee Hill’s medical expenses. Donations may be left at or mailed to Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, 1001 N. Lynn or P.O. Box 948, Lebanon, Mo. 65536.