Nita Jean Pratt

Nita Jean Pratt, of Aurora, Colorado, passed away on May 2, 2025, at the age of 86.

Nita was a proud member of the first graduating class of Aurora Central High School. She went on to earn her degree from Ottawa University, graduating on June 5, 1960—the same day she married the love of her life, Dale M. Pratt. The two were just weeks away from celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

As Dale liked to say, “I met the love of my life as punishment for being late to a college class. I was made to sit next to a pretty girl at the front of the class.” That serendipitous moment led to a lifetime of love, partnership, and family.

Nita dedicated her career to teaching and sharing the joy of reading. She spent 38 years at Altura Elementary School, where she touched the lives of countless students with her warmth, patience, and passion for education.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those she loved and taught.