Mick Pracht

Mick Pracht, 77, of Davenport, died Thursday, April 24, 2025, at MercyOne-Genesis Medical Center, Davenport.

A Memorial Mass to celebrate Mick’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport. Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be held Friday, May 9th at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home from 4 until 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Additional visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in the gathering space at the Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Humility Homes and Services, Inc. or St. Ambrose University.

Michael Tuttle Pracht was born on May 10, 1947, in Maryville, Tennessee, a son of Herman W. and Dorothy M. (Tuttle) Pracht.

He was united in marriage to Rebecca A. “Becky” Chouteau on March 9, 1974, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Mick graduated from Assumption High School in 1965, St. Ambrose College in 1973 with a degree in Business Administration and Economics, and Creighton Law School in 1976. Following law school graduation, Mick and Becky moved back to the Quad Cities, and Mick went to work for Vollertsen & Britt in downtown Davenport, where he practiced law for over 25 years. While practicing law, he also served as an adjunct professor at St. Ambrose University, becoming a favorite of students with his engaging teaching style and sense of humor. Later, Mick worked as a housing counselor with United Neighbors and their Dream Program.

Mick proudly served our country in Vietnam, where he was awarded two Purple Hearts. He carried the wounds of his service for the rest of his life, but his family’s love and devotion never wavered. In 2021, his son’s gift of a kidney extended his life and deepened the bonds he treasured most. Mick’s family would like to thank the many caregivers who stood by him in his final years, especially Stacy Abel, the post-transplant team at the VA Hospital in Iowa City, and Dr. Sarkar and Team Dolly at the VA Medical Center in Davenport, who became like family through their care and compassion.

Mick filled his life with family, music, tradition, and the kind of simple joys that left a lasting mark. He played his Martin guitars and sang baritone in musicals with Becky and the kids, always happiest when the house was full of music and laughter. He made sure little things became big memories — handing his kids balloons at Happy Joe’s and watching them drift into the sky as they made a wish, making “dirt and worms” ice cream for special treats, and shaking popcorn in paper bags for movie nights at home. He was the referee for volleyball games and spirited family ping pong tournaments, always keeping the games lively but fair. Mick loved sunny days, working on his tan, and fall Saturdays spent cheering on his beloved Hawkeyes. Bix race mornings were a family affair too, with Mick leading the charge through the streets of Davenport, often with a few kids running right alongside him. He was never without a good story, sharing his legendary tales with friends and family along the way, weaving laughter and memories into every chapter of his life. Even in his work as a professor at St. Ambrose, Mick found ways to bring his family into the classroom, often inviting his kids to join his lessons. In every part of his life, Mick made sure that what mattered most was never missed — the love of family, the joy of tradition, and the stories that would be told for years to come.

Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Becky, of Davenport; his children and their spouses: Jim (Andrea) Pracht, Crystal Lake, Illinois; Katy (Keith) Phares, Bowling Green, Ohio; Laurie (Dana) Burke, Maggie (Sean) Moeller, Nate (Heather Price) Pracht, Owen Pracht, and Phil (Rachael) Pracht, all of Davenport; his grandchildren: Arthur, Henry, Max, Teddy, Molly, Patrick, Adam, Kyle, Ryan, Dylan, Sloane, Reece, Presley, Alexa, Bryce, Karli, and Emmett; his brothers: Marty (Celia) Pracht of Ashburn, Virginia; Steve (Darlene) Pracht of Atlanta, Georgia; Matt (Melanie) Pracht of Laurinburg, North Carolina; his extended family: John Hasenmiller of Phoenix, Arizona; Steve (Jeanne) Hasenmiller of Scottsdale, Arizona; and Mary (Dave) Herrmann of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; his mother-in-law, Mary Anne Chouteau of Davenport; the extended Chouteau family; and his nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Margaret Hasenmiller Pracht; his brother and sisters-in-law, Dick (Mary Jo) Hasenmiller, Chris Baxter Hasenmiller, Terry Strader; and his father-in-law, Tom Chouteau. May they rest in peace.

Mick’s legend lives on in the family traditions, the stories still told, and the love he passed forward with every chapter of his life.