Andrea Vee Prater

Andrea Vee Prater (Lueder) of Edmonds, Washington, died Friday, March 5, 2010, under the skilled care of Group Health Hospice and Homewatch Caregivers at the home of her loving friend, Susie Rothenbuhler.

Andrea was born in the Black Hills of S.D.to her birth parents, Mabel (Prater) and Harry Lueder on May 8, 1945. She was proud that her birthday, V.E. Day, was known as a "day of peace." Her sense of patriotism continued throughout her life as she honored those who serve in the military and in public service. In her later years, she regularly baked cookies for the Edmonds Police Department.

She was raised in Kenmore, Wash., by her adoptive parents Martha (Vacknitz) and Dean Prater.

A 1963 graduate of Bothell High School, Andrea was a student of history, a collector of many things and an avid craftsman and artist. She expressed her creativity through poetry, needlework, painting and woodworking. She loved the beauty of God’s creation (especially while she collected drift wood on the beach), the sounds of nature, and her precious pets — "Curly" (her dog), "Fluffy (her cat) and Tanger (her hamster).

She worked for 19 years as a certified nursing assistant at Pinehurst Park Terrace Care Center. She adopted her friends, Dorothy and Richard Adams, as her "spiritual parents" saying that they were instrumental in leading her to faith in Jesus Christ. A devoted, though self-professed "imperfect" follower of Jesus,

Andrea attended many local churches including Christ Heritage Church, Church of Christ of Mountlake Terrace, and Faith Community Church.

Andrea is survived by her brothers, Cal Prater (Amedee) of Wenatchee and Glen Prater (Pearl) of Seattle and her birth sisters, Faye Jantzen, Thornton, Color., Louise Huggans, Denver, Colo., and Betty Wright, of Houston Texas.

She is also survived by special friends, Susie Rothenbuhler, Susan Nobach, Janet Fruchtl, Cathy Shives, Nyla Jones and Shari Abbey, as well as several nieces and nephews.

On June 24, a graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Sunset Hills Memorial Park (1215 145th Place SE, Bellevue), followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. at Faith Community Church (10220 238th Street SW, Edmonds) with Pastor Phil Assink officiating.

A scholarship for Bothell High School seniors pursuing a career in nursing is being established in Andrea’s name. To contribute, please contact the Bothell High School Alumni Association.