Pankratz, Gus A. (1910-2005)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2005 May 31 p. 2; 2005 Jun 1 p. 2; 2005 Jun 2 p. 2

Birth date: 1910

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Jun 13 p. 8

text of obituary:

GUS A. PANKRATZ

Gus A. Pankratz, 94, of North Newton, Kan., died May 31, 2005. He was born Aug. 3, 1910, to George G. and Anna (Fry) Pankratz in Marion County on a farm five miles north of Goessel.

When he was a child, his family moved to Thomas County in western Kansas. After five years they moved to the Burrton area, where he attended high school, graduating in 1930. He then studied at Salt City Business College in Hutchinson.

He married Anna Auernheimer on Aug. 19, 1934, in Halstead. She preceded him in death on Nov. 6, 2003.

They were actively involved at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church in Wichita for 50 years. When they moved to the Newton area they became members of First Mennonite Church.

He was involved in a variety of business pursuits in the Wichita and Augusta areas. He had the first Maytag dealership in Wichita. He was also a developer, building several businesses and houses in south Wichita. For a time he also had a dairy farm and then raised beef cattle.

Survivors include a son, Dulane Pankratz and his wife, Ann, of Prairie Village; a daughter, Donna Becker and her husband, Clifford, of Park City; a sister, Mary Ann Blosser of North Newton; a brother, Peter Pankratz of Wichita; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were held at First Mennonite Church of Newton. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.