Geneva Anna Pratt Utica, Ne formerly of Cook, Ne was born March 2, 1910 in Coleridge, NE to Wenzel and Mary Ullsperger. She passed away on December 20, 2012 at the Utica Community Care Center in Utica, NE at the age of 102 years, 9 months and 18 days.

She grew up in the Dunbar/Syracuse area and graduated from Dunbar High School. After High School, she worked in Nebraska City as a waitress and housekeeper and attended Peru State College and received her teaching certificate. She taught country school in the Syracuse/St. Mary area for 8 years. On May 25, 1939, she married Elvo Pratt. She and Elvo had their own business, a grocery store, cream station, and feed store for 40 years in Cook, NE. After retiring from the grocery store, she worked at the Dairy Sweet in Syracuse. She enjoyed working in the grocery store, square dancing, ceramics, textile painting. She especially enjoyed family activities.

Geneva, participated for many years in Cook Women's Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Cook Band Mothers and other numerous area activities. She was also a member of St. Paulinus Catholic Church where she was active as much as possible.

She is survived by daughters and son-in-laws, Ardith Ann and Don Rut, Utica; Shirley and Vern Lowery, Denver; grandchildren: Rory Rut and wife Jane, Tomball, TX; Rachelle Huber and husband, Ramon, Lincoln; Stacie Murphy and husband Brandon, Denver, Chris Kirk and wife Rachael, Virginia Beach, VA. Step-grandchildren: Lee and Shellina Lowery, Denver; Michael and Tonia Lowery, Denver; great grandchildren: Riley Murphy, Ian Murphy, Sorel Rut, Maeryn Rut, Lara Rut, Lila Kirk, and Charlotte Kirk. Step great grandchildren: Pamella Lowery, Joshua Neutz, Nevaeh Weddel, Giovanni Lowery, Alyia Martinez, and Noah Falance.. Survived by brother, Harold Ullsperger of Lincoln, and sisters-in-law, Anna Ullsperger of Cook, and Dorothy Ullsperger of Syracuse, nieces and nephews.

She was pre-deceased by parents, husband, Elvo; great granddaughter, Carys Elizabeth Rut; sisters Irene Schumacher and Anne Straub, brothers Albert Ullsperger, Edward Ullsperger, and George Ullsperger; sisters-in-law Gladys Ullsperger, Martha Ullsperger, brothers-in-law Oscar Schumacher, and Paul Straub and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paulinus Catholic Church in Syracuse, Nebraska with Father Michael Stec officiating. A Rosary Service will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2012 prior to the Mass at 10:30 A.M. at the Church.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 28th from 9:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. with family greeting friends from 4:00 P.M. Until 6:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Enjoyed visiting with family and friends. She and Elvo took many trips throughout the years. She especially liked having family and friends stop and visit in Cook, and in past few years, at the care center in Utica. She enjoyed her trips to Colorado to visit family and friends. She often played cards and dominoes. Geneva loved to teach people how to play new games…..that was the "teacher" in her.

In the early years, she made numerous majorette costumes for various baton student groups. She would work at the grocery store until 6 or 7 at night and then go home and work on family activities or bake until 2 or so in the a.m. As her daughters were growing up, Geneva drove car loads of friends to many school activities. It was often, "can Geneva take a group?" and she would always leave her job at the store to spend a day with the kids.

In 1961/62, she spent hours designing and building their new home in Cook. Again, after hours of working in the store, she would work to finish the inside of their new home – painting and varnishing. She was very proud of her home in Cook. She had so many personal items that she displayed and enjoyed. She had family pictures all over her home and always wanted to receive more pictures. She collected plates and often picked up a new plate on each trip she took. She had many knick knacks and other items that she treasured so deeply. In addition, she had books and books with pictures of family, friends, and their trips that she cherished.

There was always plenty of activity going on at their home. She and Elvo taught square dance lessons for several years in their basement.

She and Elvo drove to Colorado to vacation as they loved the mountains. They made several trips to Branson, MO. She went to the flea markets with Elvo and they traveled to many parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas. Geneva really enjoyed the 2 and 3 overnight trips.

Geneva loved to go out to eat. One of her favorites was going to Lincoln and having Graham Cracker Cream Pie at King's after her doctor's appointments and shopping were completed. Geneva loved to go shopping. She always liked new clothes and jewelry. In the later years when she could no longer go to the stores to shop, she loved it when her daughters would bring her new outfits and new earrings or bracelets.

Christmas was a favorite time of year for her and the family. She enjoyed attending Christmas programs and listening to Christmas music. The many shopping trips to Lincoln and Omaha when the girls were young brought many fond memories. Family dinners during the holidays were special to her. She liked to get together with her brothers and sisters and their families, and all of her nieces, nephews, and cousins. They were so important to her and she could tell you about each one of them and what they were doing. She loved going to family reunions, weddings, anniversary parties, and other celebrations. Her own birthday celebrations, especially in later years, made her very happy. She always made certain her family was together for her birthday and that everyone went out to eat with her.

One of the most memorable times in Geneva's life was when she and Elvo celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was a big celebration with many family and friends present.

Another memorable moment for Geneva was a trip to Disneyland in 1979. It was her first plane ride. She and Elvo walked all over Disneyland and were amazed at the rides. Her favorite was It's a Small, Small World. She was shocked at the price of a hamburger and fries.

Geneva was an amazing person. She was very inquisitive, carried on conversations, had a sharp mind and always wanted to learn new things.

Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Funeral Home Syracuse, NE 402-269-2441