In Memory of Ann L. Prichard

Ann Louise “Annie” Prichard, age 69, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa, with her family by her side.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Ida Grove Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations received will be dispersed to accounts for her grandbabies.

Ann Louise “Annie” Prichard, the daughter of Ralph W. and Lorraine L. (Barthel) Nicholson, was born on January 11, 1956, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa. Ann received her education at Ida Grove High School graduating with the class of 1974. While in high school, she worked as a tray girl at Horn Memorial Hospital during her junior and senior year.

After high school, Ann moved to Scarsdale, New York, to work as a nanny for a year. She then returned to Ida Grove and resumed working at Horn Memorial Hospital as a dietary cook. She retired in 2017 after more than 41 years of employment with the hospital.   

On August 18, 1979, Ann married Jeffrey Prichard. The couple was blessed with two children, Kevin and Lori. The two would later part ways. 

Even though cooking was Ann’s full-time job, it was also a favorite pastime of hers. She enjoyed hosting and cooking large family meals for their gatherings and the holidays. Some of their favorite meals included her tuna and noodles, tator tot casserole, bubble pizza, and homemade mac & cheese. Besides cooking, Ann also enjoyed gardening, coffee time on her porch, grill outs at the farm, shopping, word finds, and watching tv. She especially treasured time with her sister Joyce, knitting slippers for her family, and being around those she loved and cared about. Ann will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory include her fiancé of 28 years, Clark Brauninger of Correctionville, IA; son Kevin Prichard and daughter Lori Prichard both of Ida Grove, IA; grandchildren Brooke (Cody) Kell of Aurelia, IA and Lainey Prichard of Ida Grove, IA; great-grandchildren Emerald and baby Emmett Kell on-the-way of Aurelia, IA; brother Jim (Denise) Nicholson of Ida Grove, IA; sister and best friend Joyce Lawson of Ida Grove, IA; nieces and nephews Luci Gilsar, Ryan Harger, Dylan, Caleb, and Adam Nicholson, Heather Lawson, Jeremy Lawson, and Tasha (Torey) Zimmerman; her beloved four-legged child Meeka May; many great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Lorraine Nicholson; her maternal and paternal grandparents; aunts, uncles, and cousins.