SHIRLEY ALICE PRATKA
July 20, 1927 ˜ November 6, 2022

Shirley Alice Pratka, the "heart of the Pratka family," passed away Nov. 6, 2022, at Ray Hickey House after a long battle with lymphoma.
Shirley, who attended Jefferson High School in Portland, was born on July 20, 1927 to Francis and Thelma Reiter in Roseburg, OR.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 76 years, Larry Pratka; five children, Steve (Bonnie) Pratka, Gary (Connie) Pratka, Scott Pratka, Julie (Karl) Karja, all of Vancouver; and Michael (Stephanie) Pratka, of Carson, WA; her treasured grandchildren, Christy Hartshorn, Nick (Jaime) Pratka, and Christian Sutherland; and three great-grandchildren, Cooper, Caleb and Ellie. She was preceded in death just a month ago by her son, Lawrence Pratka.

Shirley was totally devoted to her family, and offered unconditional love to her children and grandchildren, whom she often described as "the best buddies in the whole wide world." Christy remembers her as their "anchor and biggest cheerleader." Shirley was so generous with her love that she was frequently called "Mom" and "Grandma" by many of her children and grandchildren's friends. Grandson Nick summed it up simply, "The world lost a good one on the day she died."

Besides being a mother and homemaker, Shirley was invaluable as an accountant, bookkeeper and secretary for her husband Larry's construction company. She was a secretary for the U.S Army at Vancouver Barracks when she and Larry met during World War II. He was stationed at the Air Force base in Portland.

Shirley was an avid reader, who loved historical fiction, especially books about that World War II era. She also enjoyed time spent with her family at their cabin on the Wind River.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at Mother Joseph Catholic Cemetery (formerly St. James Acres), 1401 E. 29th Street in Vancouver.