Pankratz, Evelyn Marie (1930-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jul 3 p. 3

Birth date: 1930 Jul 1

text of obituary:

Fatal Accident North of Goessel

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Word has been received that Evelyn Pankratz passed away about 10:00 o’clock Tuesday evening at the Bethesda hospital, Goessel. Funeral arrangements had not been completed at the time the Review went to press.

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PARSONS MAN KILLED, THREE OTHER PERSONS INJURED, ONE CRITICALLY

An automobile accident shortly after 1:00 o’clock last Sunday afternoon at an intersection three miles north of Goessel on the K15 detour caused the death of one person and injury of three others.

Driving north were Carl B. Lewis, 57, of Parsons, Kans. and James G. Farris, 24, a hitch-hiker of McDaine, Mo. Coming onto the detour from the cast were Evelyn M. Pankratz, 21, and her sister, Ruth Ann, 20, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Pankratz of rural Hillsboro.

Mr. Lewis was killed instantly as his late model Buick rolled over after being hit on the right side by the Pankratz car. Evelyn Pankratz suffered a brain concussion, a fractured collar bone, factured [sic] ribs, cuts and bruises and remained in critical condition for several days.

Her sister had severe lacerations on the right foot, cuts and bruises. Farris suffered shock and slight brain concussion but the condition of the two was not considered critical. The body of Mr. Lewis was removed to the Bergen Funeral Home and the three injured persons taken to the Bethesda Hospital in Goessel.

Three days before, Cris Ewy, 61, a Durham farmer, was killed on the same highway four miles north of Hillsboro, in a head-on collision with a truck.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jul 10 p. 6

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jul 10 p. 9

text of obituary:

EVELYN MARIE PANKRATZ

Evelyn Marie Pankratz, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Pankratz, was born on July 1, 1930, in Goessel, Kansas.

In 1944 she graduated from the Antioch grade school and in 1948 from the Goessel Rural high school. She was baptized upon confession of faith in her Redeemer and Saviour on May 20, 1945, in the Alexanderwohl church, by Rev. Philip A. Wedel.

In 1949 in spring she entered nurses training at the Bethel hospital, Newton, Kansas, where she graduated on March 7, 1952. After graduation she accepted the position as nurse in the Bethesda hospital at Goessel, Kansas. She enjoyed her work and loved to minister to the sick in the name of Christ. She was especially active as a church member ever since the day of baptism, and remained faithful and loyal to the church until her departure.

Being the oldest child of the home, Evelyn helped her parents a great deal in the many duties that confronted them. She was of gentle disposition and therefore was always cheerful as she went about her work. Her helpfulness and her radiant smile we shall greatly miss, but hope to meet her again in our heavenly home.

She went to her eternal reward on July 1, 1952, at 10 pm., two days after a serious automobile accident. Her passing occurred on her 22nd birthday. Every possible doctor's aid and nurses care was given her but her injuries were too great to save her life. From the moment of the accident she seemingly did not gain consciousness.

Two sisters, Fern and Violet, preceded her in death in early infancy.

She leaves to mourn her sudden departure her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Pankratz of Hillsboro, Kansas; one brother Eldon and three sisters, Ruth Ann, Betty Jane and Joyce Fay; her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Schmidt, and a host of relatives and friends.

She is the first to pass away of the nurses graduating class of March 7, 1952, at the Bethel Deaconess hospital and the second member to pass away from the baptismal class of May 20, 1945.

Funeral services were held on July 4 at the Bergen funeral home in charge of Rev. H. B. Schmidt, and at the Alexanderwohl church in charge of the pastor Rev. Philip A. Wedel, assisted by Rev. Abe Peters, of Burrton, Kans.

The Mennonite obituary: 1952 Jul 22 p. 462