Tracey Lynn Prangley, 53

Tracey Lynn Prangley of Bigfork died suddenly at her home on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012.

She was born in Hillsboro, Ore., on November 16, 1958, the daughter of Don and Marion Ficken. She spent her younger years in Oregon and then moved to Tacoma, Wash., graduating from high school there. She then went on to the Bates Technical School and became a dental/orthodontal assistant. She spent 27 years working in this field in Tacoma.

She married her soul mate, Terry Prangley, on June 24, 2004. Soon after they moved to the Flathead area, residing in Bigfork. She started working at the Wild Mile Deli and then in 2006 became one of the cooks at Eva Gates Homemade Preserves. She was working there at the time of her death.

Tracey loved her grandchildren, Paiton and Kolten. Her eyes lit up every time she saw them or talked about them. The day before her passing, she enjoyed a wonderful evening on Flathead Lake with her husband, Terry, and Kolten. It was one of those picture-perfect evenings on the lake and she was with the two men she loved the most.

She also loved to cook. She always loved to share her recipes with family and friends and was known for her great potato casserole. She also enjoyed reading, cribbage and of course, doting on her grandchildren. And her work at Eva Gates Homemade Preserves completed her happiness. She so enjoyed meeting new people every day and loved each and every one of the employees there. It was one big happy family and she was especially close to Abby Monroe, her fellow cook and dear friend.

She was preceded in death by her father, Don Ficken.

She is survived by her husband, Terry Prangley, at the family home; her mother, Marion Ficken, of Sherwood, Ore.; her brother, Gary Ficken and wife Karen Ficken, of Tacoma; her sister, Kristie Turner and husband Paul, of Port Saint Lucie, Fla.; daughter Tori Prangley, of Enumclaw, Wash.; son Dustin Prangley of Butte; and her grandchildren, Paiton Louise Meyer, of Enumclaw, and Kolten Wayne Prangley, of Bigfork. She also is survived by four wonderful nephews and her special friends at Eva Gates Homemade Preserves.

A celebration of life will take place at Community United Methodist Church in Bigfork on Tuesday, Aug. 7, at 1 p.m. with a reception following at the church.

“Heaven gained a special angel that day and she will be remembered always in our hearts.”