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Pankratz, Cornelius Goertz (1872-1963)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 May 23 p. 5
Birth date: 1872
text of obituary:
. . .
● Funeral services for Cornelius G. Pankratz, 90, retired carpenter and long-time resident of Moundridge, were conducted Tuesday forenoon at the West Zion Mennonite Church there. Rev. Harris Waltner, the pastor, officiated. Mr. Pankratz died Saturday at mercy Hospital. Born in South Russia in 1872 he was a member of the Alexanderwohl congregation which migrated to this area in 1874. He leaves his wife, the former Margaret Regier, six daughters, four sons, 24 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Jacob G. of Goessel and Gerhard G. of Newton.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Jun 20 p. 8
text of obituary:
Cornelius Goertz Pankratz, son of Peter and Elizabeth Goertz Pankratz, was born on June 9, 1872 in Steinfeld, South Russia. As a two-year-old child he with his parents and relatives came to Marion County, Kansas, where he grew to manhood.
On April 10, 1902 he united his life in marriage with Margaret Regier and together they shared the experiences of life for 61 years. Their home was blessed with the birth of 10 children, six daughters and four sons. He had a vital interest in the children’s Christian nurture and in their education.
After marriage he farmed for seven years near Goessel, but because of ill health he had to discontinue farm work. He moved to Moundridge and devoted himself to work as a full-time carpenter. In the years that followed he built many homes in Moundridge and surrounding communities.
Upon his confession of faith he was baptized in the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church on June 6, 1892. After he made his residence in Moundridge he became a member of the West Zion Mennonite Church where he served actively as a deacon, Sunday school superintendent, and teacher. He also served the church as building foreman when the parsonage was built in 1927 and when the former church was remodeled in 1937.
During his last years when he could no longer do carpenter work, gardening and writing his thoughts on Bible passage were his favorite activities.
His strength began to fail rapidly during the past year. Since Feb. 25 he was committed to the care of the Mercy Hospital and for a time to the Schmidt Nursing Home in Moundridge. His last days were spent at the Mercy Hospital. His earthly life came to a close on Saturday, May 18, having reached an age of almost 91 years.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Margaret; six daughters, Esther of Buhler, Frieda and husband Karl Sudermon of Hillsboro, Marie and husband John K. Will of Halstead, Margaret and husband Oliver Ash of Roxbury, Elizabeth and husband Laurence Zuercher of Huntsville, Ala., and Fern and husband Emry Ruth of Wichita; four sons, Gilbert and wife Opal of Wichita, Waldo and wife Josephine of Wichita, Ronald and wife Marjorie of Indianola, Iowa, and Elbert and wife Opal of Arvada, Colo.; 24 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Gerhardt of Newton and Jacob of Goessel.
Funeral services were conducted at the West Zion Mennonite Church of Moundridge on Tuesday, May 21. Rev. Harris Waltner officiated.