Pankratz, Anna Sommerfeld (1877-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Apr 20 p. 6

Birth date: 1877 Oct 30

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. John P. Pankratz, 83, died unexpectedly early Sunday morning at the home on Route 2, Canton. She had been in failing health for some time. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Goessel Mennonite Church, Rev. Levi Koehn officiating. Mrs. Pankratz was a lifelong resident of the Goessel-Canton vicinity. Her husband died in 1954. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Harlan Lippert of Lyndon, Kan., Hulda and Margaret of the home; a son-in-law, Pete H. Penner of Hillsboro; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. John H. Pankratz of the home; one brother, three sisters, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Jun 1 p. 8

text of obituary:

ANNA SOMMERFELD PANKRATZ

Anna Sommerfeld Pankratz, daughter of Heinrich and Anna Schroeder Sommerfeld, was born Oct. 30, 1877 in the Goessel, Kan. community. She passed away Sunday morning, April 16, reaching the age of 83 years, five months and 16 days.

As a small girl she moved with her parents to a farm near Canton, Kan. Because her help was needed at home, she was not privileged to attend school very much.

As a young woman she received catechism instruction. She was baptized upon her confession of faith in Christ on June 6, 1897 and received into the membership of the Alexanderwohl Church.

On Oct. 31, 1897 she was united in marriage to our father, John P. Pankratz, by Rev. Peter Balzer. They made their home on a farm in the Goessel community where they shared life for nearly 57 years, until father's death 1954. When the Goessel Mennonite Church was organized she and father were among the charter members. In 1947 our parents were privileged to observe their golden wedding anniversary.

To this union were born seven children, three sons and four daughters. Three sons, Arnold, Werner and John, and one daughter Clara, Mrs. Peter H. Penner, preceded her in death.

Mother was a lover of music and often sang while she worked. During her lifetime many difficult experiences came to her — hardship, illness and sorrow — but through them all she remained courageous. In the last years, in spite of much pain, she remained moderately active. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and was much concerned about the spiritual welfare of her family. Her loving concern will be greatly missed.

Others preceding her in death were four brothers and two sisters and one sister-in-law.

Those who remain to mourn her passing are three daughters, Hulda and Margaret of the home, and Bertha and her husband, Harlan S. Lippert, of Lyndon, Kan.; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. John H. Pankratz; one son-in-law, Peter H. Penner, and his wife; seven grandchildren and one married granddaughter and her family three sisters, one brother, five sisters-in-law and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held April 18 at the Goessel Mennonite Church with Rev. Levi Koehn and Rev. Ed. R. Stucky officiating. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1961 May 2 p. 302
The Mennonite obituary: 1961 May 9 p. 318