Following a sudden and brief illness, Nancy Nell Beeney Pracht, of Lindsay, Oklahoma, passed away on July 17, 2023, leaving grieving family members and friends and a world that is better for the time she spent in it.
Nancy was born in Newton, Massachusetts on October 3, 1961, into a military family. Over the next several years, as her father traveled to new duty assignments, she lived in several different parts of the country. Finally, they settled in Midwest City, Oklahoma, where he retired and Nancy received most of her schooling, graduating from high school in 1979. After continuing her education at the University of Oklahoma and Rose State College, she became a dental hygienist.
Meanwhile, Dr. Steve Pracht, who'd recently established a practice in Lindsay, met Nancy on a blind date arranged by his own hygienist. Although Nancy had often said she would never become involved with either a cowboy or a dentist, and Steve was both, the two fell in love and were married on September 14, 1985. They would go on to raise three daughters: Shannon, Schuyler, and Sydney.
Nancy's compassion and gentleness informed everything she did, from her job as Steve's hygienist – where she would sometimes fall behind schedule after becoming involved in conversations with patients -- to the time she spent helping others via the Lindsay United Methodist Church and other volunteer efforts, to the wisdom, joy, and caring she put into raising her children and sharing Steve's life and work. All of her family members remember her kindness, her laughter, her fairness, and her love. She cared about others as much or more than she cared about herself, an attitude reflected not only in the way she raised her daughters, but also in the mission trips she took to such places as Guatemala and Juarez, Mexico, along with her longtime involvement in Oklahoma Missions of Mercy, offering free dental clinics for people who would not otherwise have access to oral care. Her focus was always on others, in helping them however she could. She was that rare person who lived a selfless life, not seeking recognition for the many good things she'd done, wanting only to make things better.
Nancy's concern for all that was around her extended to her love and care for animals, as well as to her efforts to be a good steward of God's earth. Her decades-long involvement with her church included not only Sunday-school teaching, serving on the board of trustees, singing in the choir, playing handbells, and helping put on plays; she also made sure that there were plenty of real, washable cups, glasses, and plates ready for use in the church's kitchen instead of single-use, throwaway utensils.
Her deep commitment to others found its greatest expression in her role as a wife and mother. With much warmth and laughter, she taught her daughters not only how to take care of themselves, but also how to always make room in their lives for fun. They remember the flowers she sent to them at their schools on Valentine's Day; the crafts she helped them create atop a sheet on the living-room floor with Play-Doh, Popsicle sticks, and glue; the brownies, chocolate pudding, oatmeal cream pies, and carrots with fat-free ranch dressing she always kept on hand. All that she did as a parent was done, first of all, with a love that never wavered.
In addition to making everything as joyous as possible, Nancy always wanted to be fair to everyone. She insisted, for example, that each of her children receive the exact same amount of presents under the Christmas tree each year. This occasionally meant that one of them would get a pair of shoes with the left one and right one wrapped in two different packages, just so that the number of gifts would come out even.
That was just one of the uncountable things that made her, in her daughters' eyes, the best momma they ever could have imagined.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Dr. Steve Pracht; her two sisters, Susan Downham and Jane Blalock, and Jane's husband, Ed Blalock; her brother, Steve Beeney; her daughters, Shannon, Schuyler, and Sydney; Shannon's husband, Steven Wooley, and Schuyler's husband, Zack Siegler; her granddaughter Maeve (to whom she will always be NaNell); and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.
An 11 a.m. memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 12 at the Lindsay United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to Lindsay Animal Welfare at Lindsay Veterinary Hospital or Dutton's Farm Supply, to that group's Amazon wish list, or to Lab Rescue OK. Both of those charities have missions that align with Nancy's animal-loving heart.
The family would like to extend an invitation to their community of friends for a meal immediately following the service at the home of Tom and Alexia Herrin, 610 SW 2nd St. Lindsay, Oklahoma. Please bring your memories of Nancy and a side dish to share as meat will be provided.

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