Diane Pratt of Fort Collins, CO has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved her.
Here is the shape of a life remembered with love.
Years are made of mornings, and mornings of moments.
Diane Pratt, 81, our iconic and unforgettable wife, mother, and grandmother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on April 25, 2026, in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Born December 23, 1944, in Ada, Michigan as Diana Fase, she came from a long line of Fase family that could trace their lineage back to the settling of Michigan by the Dutch. She attended Forest Hills Central earning the title of Salutatorian. She went on to earn a degree in Mathematics from Michigan State University. While vacationing in New York City during a college break, she met a young man from England and immediately fell for the lost traveler in the tweed jacket. From that moment on, Diane and her future husband were inseparable with him visiting her hometown in Michigan shortly after, followed later by Diane visiting his home in England. Thus began a 62-year romance that was only cut short by her untimely passing. Diane Fase became Diane Pratt after marrying Tim in England in 1971. Having a degree in Mathematics and a minor in teaching, she put her skills and compassion to use teaching the children of US Service Members stationed at Milden Hall Airforce base in England. In 1979, she gave birth to their first son Jeremy and then in 1981 welcomed their second son James. Often traveling between England and Michigan, she raised 2 boisterous boys into semi boisterous young men.
Settling once again in Michigan during the 90's, she ran for local office and became Treasurer of her home village of Ada. During this happy time, both of her sons graduated from her old high school and went on to attend colleges in Michigan including her youngest attending her Alma Mater MSU. Diane was deeply affected by the very early death of her youngest son James, who passed away shortly after college. A special pain that only a mother can feel was a constant headwind through the rest of her life, a headwind that she bravely leaned into and turned immense sorrow into an unbreakable spirit that all around her would witness. She cared deeply for every single person she met, stopping and talking to anyone to learn about their lives. In 2011 Diane and Tim moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to be closer to their granddaughter Taylor and grandson Stirling. In Colorado, Diane spent countless hours perfecting her very large garden which became a focal point for her neighborhood, she made numerous deep friendships and easily made over a billion cups of tea for her beloved English husband. Her greatest joy was watching her grandchildren play baseball and tennis during numerous trips to California.
Diane is survived by her husband of 55 years, Tim; her sister, Rose Mulder; her son, Jeremy; her grandchildren, Taylor and Stirling; her nieces and nephews, Jan, Amy, Dale, Rhonda, Sue, and Ray.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11AM on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Ada Bible Church, 8899 Cascade Rd SE, Ada, Michigan with a viewing at 10AM.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations might be made to Mercy Ships at MercyShips.org – a charity that helps provide life-changing surgeries and hope for children suffering extreme medical issues, and one that Diane was so very proud to support
Services
Friday, May 8, 2026
Visitation: 10AM
Celebration of Life: 11AM
Ada Bible Church – Cascade Campus
The Ada Bible Church – Cascade Campus is honored to serve the family of Diane Pratt.
