Eugene Leighton Pracht

Thursday, January 7, 2021

June 22, 1948 - Jan. 4, 2021

BROKEN BOW, Neb. — Eugene Leighton Pracht was born June 22, 1948, in Broken Bow to the late Howard Pracht and Dorthy (Fox) Pracht. Eugene was the first of two sons, followed by brother, Dale Howard Pracht. He attended country school near the family farm west of Westerville, then Broken Bow Public Schools after they moved there in 1965. He graduated from Broken Bow High School with the Class of 1966. He completed his vocational training in electronics at the Hastings campus, and proudly served in a tour of duty with “Big Red One.” He was deployed to Vietnam and was assigned at various times to the departments of artillery, armored vehicles, and cooking. Upon returning, he attended Nebraska Christian College in Norfolk, Neb.

Eugene worked for the electric power company, and then joined with his father and mother as a partner in Pracht Electronics and Radio Shack in Broken Bow. After his father’s death, he maintained the business, working alongside his mother at her Christian bookstore. He was a hard worker always willing to lend a helping hand, and held additional jobs including the maintenance crew for the local cemetery. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Broken Bow, holding several leadership roles, and was always there when they needed him. In his most recent years, he took great joy in transporting students with his ‘ole stubby-nosed school bus’ for Broken Bow Public Schools and was often surprised by his favorite. . . cookies!

Eugene was a devoted man of faith, who trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. A good gospel song never failed to bring him comfort, and he was baptized as a believer in a borrowed baptistery. He attended camp in the summers while a youth, at Homeward Trail near Mason City.

Eugene was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Clyde Fox and Anna (Parker) Fox; paternal grandparents, Oliver Pracht and Alma (Harmon) Pracht; father, Howard Pracht; and two spouses, Nancy (Stithem) Pracht and Gretta (Kohl) Pracht.

He is survived by his wife, Kaylene (Schrader) Pracht; mother, Dorthy (Fox) Pracht; and brother, Dale (Alice) Pracht; adopted stepchildren, Charles Pracht, LeAnna (Jerry) Lukas, Tara (Greg) Harmsen, and Jennifer (Benjamin) Randolph; and grandchildren, Kyla Loewenstein, Joslyn Loewenstein, Lindsey Schukei, Eli Randolph, Noah Randolph, Justin Lukas, Jenna Lukas, Chelsea Kohl, Hunter Harmsen, and Brandon Harmsen.

Eugene Pracht, age 72, of Broken Bow, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, at the Kearney Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services for Eugene will be at the First Baptist Church in Broken Bow on Thursday, Jan. 7th at 3 p.m. The viewing will be at 2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Masks are not required but are encouraged to be worn. The funeral will also be live streamed at: http://www.govierbrothers.com/.

Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.