Marvin Pratt

PRATT - Marvin Kenneth Pratt was born June 24, 1970, the fourth baby in the new hospital in Oyen, Alberta, first child of Ken and Gisela Pratt. He grew up on his parents’ farm near the small hamlet of Esther, Alberta and attended school at nearby New Brigden and then Oyen for Grade 9. Because Marvin was born with a condition called spina bifida, he could not always do what other children his age did, but he was always accepted and encouraged by people in his family and community. His life was enhanced by the addition of four sisters to his family. He happily participated in T-ball, 4-H Garden Club, Monday night disking and other community events as well Sunday school and church. He especially enjoyed riding his bike, hunting gophers, cruising around on his 4-wheeler, and going fishing with his dad. Holiday outings in the home-made camper his dad constructed from a school bus were always an adventure. Marvin was especially blessed to have both sets of grandparents living nearby and invested in his life.

When Marvin was 20 years old, his parents decided to sell the farm and move to where there might be more opportunities for their son. That place was Three Hills!

At Three Hills, Marvin was immediately included in Achievers Club which was a program for handicapped adults. There he participated in many enjoyable activities including building birdhouses and baking cookies for a college snack room. After a few years, this small group expanded and joined the provincial organization of Rehoboth Christian Ministries which is still thriving in Three Hills today.

One of the crafts Marvin excelled at was rug hooking, mostly in the size of cushion covers. He also enjoyed stitching quilts, and, over the years, he stitched on a fish quilt, a baseball card quilt, a lighthouse quilt, and his latest one was an animal quilt where he also tied the animal squares together. He rendered a lot of satisfaction from these activities.

In 2011, it became apparent that a change was needed for Marvin, and he spent a year in Castor, Alberta with an excellent assistant who often took him fishing. When new studio apartments were custom-built in Three Hills, Marvin became one of the first residents. He lived there independently with some assistance in meal prep, housekeeping, travelling for fishing and other outings, much of which was provided by caring and dedicated support workers. He also enjoyed working for recycling, trapping or snaring gophers, watching sports on TV, playing many different games, counting train cars, and telling jokes at every opportunity. Although he endured many physical and medical challenges, he was able to stay in his home until his passing on Sunday, the last day of October, 2021.

Marvin will be deeply missed by his mother, Gisela, sisters, Lisa Gramlich, Vera (Chris) Mazurak, Corinna (Don) Montgomery, Lora (Nico) Jol, neices and nephews, Jordan, Cody, Riley and Jasmine Gramlich; Michaela and Cayden Mazurak; Sara, Genai, Amanda, Savanna, and Amberlise Montgomery; brother-in-law Mark Gramlich and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Marvin was predeceased by his father, Ken, in 2018. It is because of Marvin and his handicaps that his Dad came to know the Lord in a deeper way and Marvin chose that path as well. That is the greatest blessing of all!

Celebration of Life was held on November 6th at Prairie Tabernacle, Three Hills, AB

Burial took place on November 7th at Esther Cemetery.

Arrangements by Kneehill Funeral Services, Three Hills.