Pankratz, Barbara Unruh (1905-2002)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Sep 13 p. 34

Birth date: 1905 Mar 15

text of obituary:

BARBARA PANKRATZ

Barbara Pankratz of Ab- botsford, B.C pa ssed away july 21. Sh e was born Mar. 15, 1905 to Heinrich and Anna Un- ruh in Paulsheim, Ukrain e, Her fa ther and her teacher julius Th ie ssen instilled in her a love for si nging. When ""--~-~......---... she was 14, her mother died; she left school and took over the house- hold duties. Her father married Gertrude Hamm 3 years later. At 18, she received assurance of salvation bas ed on Is. 43:1, which w as a source of strength during difficult times. In 1926 she marri ed John Pank ratz . They immigrated to Canada in 1930; she never saw her 5 brothers and 1 sister aga in. They moved to Gem, Alta. john taught in Newell, Alta. for several years. For many y ea rs th ey h ad a bee bu sin ess. Th ey re- tired to Clearbrook, B.C They joined Ros s Ro ad Community Church, Abbotsford, where John was a lay mini ste r. Predeceased by john in 1974, she is mourned by children Cl are, Arvid and Leonard; and 5 grandchildren. The memori al serv ic e was july 24 in Ross Ro ad Community Church, with Rudi e Willms ministering.