Pankratz, Frank G. (1871-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Apr 14 p. 8, 10

Birth date: 1871 Feb 1

text of obituary:

REV. F. G. PANKRATZ

Frank G. Pankratz, our father, was born in South Russia on Feb. 1, 1871, to Peter and Elizabeth (Goertz) Pankratz. He was one in a family of 16 children, of which a sister, Mrs. Jacob Voth of Goessel, and three brothers, Cornelious [sic Cornelius] of Moundridge, George of Newton and Jacob of Goessel survive him.

During the summer of 1874 his parents and family migrated to America and settled on a farm in Marion county, Kansas, in the community known as Springfield. Here father spent the days of his youth.

In 1890 he was baptized upon the confession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he loved and served till his passing, by Elder Jacob buller in the Alexanderwohl church, of which he then became a member.

On Sept. 12, 1897, he was united in marriage to Sarah Schmidt, who was a faithful companion until her passing in 1944. To this union were born 12 children, five of which also preceded him in death. Though the last 11 years of his life were lonely, yet he continued to serve the Lord wherever He called.

He devoted his early life to teaching, which took him to various places in Kansas and also to Henderson, Nebr. According to a note in his records he received the sum total of $220 for his first year of teaching.

In 1912 he was ordained as minister, after serving several years as evangelist. he was ordained in the Alexanderwohl church by Elder Banman. He then served the Lehigh Mennonite church. later while he was serving the Burrton Mennonite church his wife, our mother went to be with her Heavenly Father. He served at a number of other places for short periods. In his latter years he spent much time caring for shut ins, ministering to them physically and spiritually.

Father took sick last summer and was confined to the hospital for a short season, and since then he had been sickly and gradually failing. He entered the Sunshine Home at Buhler on Sept. 1 of last year. He passed away suddenly, due to a heart attack, on March 17, 1955. He reached the age of 84 years, one month and 17 days.

Besides his sister and brothers he leaves to mourn his passing three sons, Roland of Newton, Edward of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Ernest of Hutchinson; and four daughters, Mrs. Stella Hudspeth, Kansas City, Mrs. Helen Jenzen, Burrton, Mrs. Ruth Forshey of Merriam, Kansas, and Mrs. Ella Schmidt, Omaha, Nebr.; three daughters-in-law, four sons-in-law, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind a great host of other relatives and friends. — The Children.