Pankratz, Ernst D. (1917-1945)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1945 Aug 28 p. 14

Birth date: 1917 Jan 17

text of obituary:

Ernst D. Pankratz, jüngster Sohn von Johann und Eva Duerksen Pankratz, wurde geboren den 17. Januar 1917 in Marion County Kansas. Er starb den 31 Juli 1945 Nachmittags um 7 Uhr im Alter von 28 J. 6 M. und 14 Tagen. Am 31. Juli ging er zu pflügen und der Tod übereilte ihn, denn ein Nachbar merkte, daß sein Pflugwerk stille stand, ging hin und fand den Leichnam. Er ist wohl an Herzschlag gestorben. Er empfing seine Elementar-Schulbildung in der Steinbach Schule. Zur weitern Bildung ging er nach der Hillsboro Bibel Akademie damals geleitet von Pred. Gustav Frey, den der Verstorbene sehr schätzte als Lehrer. Er liebte seinen Heiland und versuchte ihm zu dienen woimmer er konnte. Sein Gesundheitszustand war nicht immer gut, und in den Tagen seines Leidens fand er viel Trost in seinem Erlöser. Ungefähr 6 Monaten zurück fühlte er bewogen noch mehr für seinem Heiland zu tun und nahm einen Bibelkursus von Moody Bible Institute welches ihm viel Freude bereitete. Diesen Kursus hatte er beinahe vollendet als der Herr ihn nahm. Er hatte besondere Interesse in dem Wort Gottes und während der Arbeit nahm er Zeit für Seine Sonntagsschul-Lektion und Bibelverse zu lernen. Er nahm den Katechismus-Unterricht und wurde getauft auf das Bekenntnis seines Glaubens von Aeltester P. H. Unruh den 9. Juni, 1935 und schloß sich der Alexanderwohl Gemeinde an. Am 1. Mai 1942 heiratete er Ruth Janzen, mit welcher er Freud und Leid teilte. Diese Ehe wurde gesegnet mit zwei Kindern, die in ihrer Unschuld kaum ahnen, daß ihre Vater von ihnen genommen ist. Sie bereiteten dem Verstorbenen viel Freude in ihrem häuslichen Leben. Ein so frühes und plötzliches Hinscheiden ist ein großer Schlag für die ganze Familie, aber allermeist für seine tiefbetrübte Gattin Ruth, Ernst Jr. 2 Jahre alt, und Lois Joann 7 Monate, seinen Vater, 3 Brüder, 6 Schwestern, 2 Schwägerinnen und Familien, und viel Freunde.

“Weinend legen wir dich nieder
In dein stilles Schlafgemach:
Niemals kehrst du zu uns wieder,
Darum weinen wir dir nach

Doch für uns schlägt auch die Stunde
Wo wir dich einst wiedersehn
Wenn vereint zum schönsten Bunde
Wir vor Gottes Throne stehn.”

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Aug 9 p. 1

text of obituary:

SUDDEN DEATH COMES TO YOUNG GOESSEL FARMER OUT IN FIELD PLOWING

Goessel, Kansas. — On Tuesday afternoon, July 31, in the Alexanderwohl neighborhood here, occurred the sudden and unexpected death of Ernest D. Pankratz. Mr. Pankratz, a young farmer, was found dead in the field where he was plowing, death evidently have been caused by a heart attack.

A neighbor, Ferdinand Goossen, noticed that for sometime the tractor had been standing at the same place, but thought Mr. Pankratz was having tractor trouble. After making a few more rounds in his field, Mr. Goossen went to investigate and found Ernest dead, having slid halfway down the tractor, which had moved for some distance but got stalled when it turned into the plowed land.

Mr. Pankratz, who was 28 years of age, leaves to mourn his early departure, his deeply sorrowing wife, two children, Ernest, Jr., two years, and Lois JoAnn, seven months; his aged father, J. M. Pankratz, Hillsboro; three brothers and six sisters, three sisters-in-law and their families and many other relatives and friends.

An unusually large crowd of neighbors, relatives and friends attended the funeral at the Alexanderwhol church on Sunday afternoon, August 5. The services were in charge of Rev. P. A. Wedel, assisted by Rev. H. B. Schmidt and Rev. C. C. Wedel.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Aug 16 p. 3

text of obituary:

ERNEST D. PANKRATZ

Ernest D. Pankratz, son of John M. and Eva Duerksen Pankratz, was born on January 17, 1917, in Marion county, Kansas, and passed away on July 31, 1945, at 7:00 P. M. He reached the age of 28 year, 6 months and 14 days. He was the youngest of eleven children in the family.]

On Tuesday afternoon, July 31, in the afternoon he left his home cheerfully to do some field plowing and around seven o'clock that same afternoon a neighbor in the field noticed his tractor stalled and suspicioned that some mishap occurred. He went to investigate and found his lifeless body.

Help was summoned and the doctor called, but to no avail. According to all evidences he must have had a heart attack.

He received his elementary education in the Steinbach school and attended the Hillsboro Bible Academy the following two years. He enjoyed his school work greatly and was very fond of Bible study. Rev. Gustav Frey, whom he appreciated very much, was his teacher at that time. He loved his Lord and served Him to the best of his ability. He did not have a very strong constitution and suffered ill-health occasionally. This caused him to love his Lord more.

About six months ago he seemed to feel that the Lord called him to minister wherever and wherever he could. So he took a course from the Moody Bible Institute, which he was completing now.

When working in the field he would often study the Sunday School lesson or memorize Bible verses. He attended church and Sunday School faithfully.

He received his catechetical instruction and was baptized upon confession of faith in His Redeemer June 9, 1935, and became a member of the Alexanderwohl church.

On May 1, 1942, he was united in marriage to Ruth Janzen, with whom he shared joys and sorrows for three years and two months. This union was blessed with two children, whom he loved dearly and who were a great joy to him.

He leaves to mourn his early departure his deeply sorrowing wife, 2 infant children, Ernest Jr., two years, and Lois JoAnn, seven months; his aged father, three brothers and six sisters; three sisters-in-law, 5 brothers-in-law and her family, and many other relatives and friends.

Yes, I know you loved me,
But Jesus loved me more
I went to Him in glory
His wondrous works adore.

My work on earth is finished
My pains with patience bore
As I thought of Him who saved me
On the cross of Calvary.

Do not grieve nor sorrow
Though lonely you may be,
God's providence will guide thee
Where'ere your footsteps lead.

And may your Heavenly Father
Look down upon thee now,
And keep you always faithful, till
Your souls be joined with mine.

Funeral services were held, Sunday, Aug 5. Relatives gathered at the home of the departed at 2:15 P. M. for a brief service. Rev. Walter Goossen led in prayer after which Rev. Phil. A. Wedel gave a short message based on Heb. 4:13, "These all died in faith."

Mr. and Mrs. Abe Duerksen sang a duet entitled "Trau auf Gott' after which e the body was taken to the Alexanderwohl church, where the congregation and many friends had assembled. The services opened with a song by the assembly "Dort ueber jenem Sterenmeer."

The introductory sermon was given by Rev. H. B. Schmidt on the text, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted," Matt. 5:4. Dr. A. K. Ratzlaff then sang a solo, "My God and I." The main address was given by Rev. Phil. A. Wedel, pastor of the Alexanderwohl church. His subject was, "The Absent Living," based o n John 14:19. "Because I live, ye shall live also" and other Scripture passages. A young men's quartet sang "Fragt Er darnach?" And Rev. C. C. Wedel made closing remarks speaking on Isaiah 12:2 and Isaiah 28:29. The body was viewed by the 1100 people present after which interment was made at the Alexanderwohl cemetery. Rev. Walter Goossen and Rev. Phil A. Wedel gave brief messages at the cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1945 Sep 25 p. 11