Teresa "Terry" Prather

Teresa “Terry” Prather, a devoted mom and wife, passionate educator and caregiver, was called to be with our Lord on Monday, March 24, after a courageous battle with cancer. She peacefully passed away in the comfort of her home, with her husband Brad at her side. Terry is survived by her beloved husband Brad, her children Mitch (and wife Jess), Bailey and Drew, her mom Jan Schnarr, sister Kathy Hayden and brother Steve Schnarr.

Terry was the oldest child and daughter of Jan and Clayton Schnarr. From the day she was born, Terry was strong willed and remained steadfast to what she believed in: her family, her friends and those that she taught. Terry loved spending time outdoors, a passion that started when she was young, thanks to family camping trips, hikes around Wood Lake, and playing outside with cousins and neighbors.

Terry always had a gift for nurturing young children, teaching them to read, swim, enjoy crafts and play outside. She even taught her brother to read when he was 4. She was the most sought after babysitter and swim instructor in junior high and high school, because of the care she genuinely shared with kids of all ages. It was no surprise that when she graduated from Butler, her life centered around being a devoted mom to her kids and a sought after elementary school teacher.

Terry was a leader. During high school and college, she spent her summers coaching the summer swim team she grew up in, was team captain for her high school swimming team, excelled in the classroom and held multiple leadership roles in her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. One of her proudest moments at Butler was being crowned Homecoming Queen. She was also an active member of Fairview Presbyterian Church serving as an elder and on numerous committees including Christian Education.

As a mom, she also invested so much time being a part of and supporting Mitch’s, Bailey’s and Drew’s passions. This included volunteering to work a concession stand at Colts home games for Bailey’s synchronized swimming team to serving as a Boy Scout leader for both Mitch and Drew’s troops as they advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout.

Terry treasured tradition, both traditions she inherited and new ones she created with family and friends. Each Thanksgiving, her family would walk together in the Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash, raising funds for an Indianapolis homeless shelter. On the first Saturday in December, she and Brad would open their home to friends and family for a holiday party that began soon after they graduated from Butler. When the kids were young, she travelled to her home state of Minnesota and camped on the same island her parents took her camping when she was young. And of course, her passion for cheering on the Butler Bulldogs and the St Louis Cardinals is a tradition that she shared with Brad and their kids.

Terry lived life to the fullest, surrounded by friends and family even through the final weeks and days of her life. On March 8, she celebrated the joyous marriage of her oldest child, Mitch and Jess Skaggs, and a week later, shared her favorite Cherry Chip cake and corned beef ruebens with family and friends in celebration of her 60th birthday. Despite her suffering, she continued to have a genuine, loving smile on her face and concern for others.

Terry will be remembered by so many because she gave so much to others. We will miss her here on earth but are at peace knowing she is now with our Lord, watching over all of us.

Visitation is Friday, April 11, from 4 – 8, at Flanner Buchanan – Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue. There will be additional visitation from 10 – 11 on Saturday, April 12, at Fairview Presbyterian Church, 4609 N Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN, with the Celebration of Life at 11.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following charities in honor of Terry: The Boy Scouts of America (https://www.scouting.org) or the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (www.ilrc.org). They also wanted you to know that they’d love to see you in Butler gear or blue and white for the visitation and service.