Pankratz, Abraham M. (1879-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Jul 12 p. 1

Birth date: 1879 Jun 20

text of obituary:

IMMIGRANT OF 1880’s DIED AT REEDLEY

Reedley, Calif. — Funeral services were held at the First Mennonite church here July 6 for Abraham M. Pankratz, 72, retired farmer who moved here 14 years ago. He was born in Russia and came to the U. S. 65 years ago.

He leaves his wife, Elizabeth, and six children; 11 grandchildren, a brother Ben of Selma, and two sisters, Mrs. J. W. Schmidt of Reedley, and Mrs. H. G. Kliewer of Oklahoma.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Sep 20 p. 9

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM M. PANKRATZ

Abraham M. Pankratz was born in Alexanderwohl, Russia on June 20, 1879, and died at his home at Reedley, Calif., Monday morning, July 2, 1951, at the age of 72 year and 12 days.

He came to America with his parents at the age of seven, and the family located on a farm near Lehigh, Kans. They lived there seven years, then moved to Cordell, Okla., where his father and brothers took up homesteads.

He found Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and was baptized by Rev. Jacob Ramsier and united with the Sichar Mennonite church at Cordell, Okla., of which he remained a faithful member until 1941. In that year he united with the First Mennonite church of Reedley where he remained a member until his death.

On Nov. 13, 1901, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Froese at Cordell Okla. This union was blessed with two daughters and five sons. The eldest daughter preceded him in death in infancy.

In 1914 he moved to Montana with his family and filed on a homestead. He lived and farmed there until the fall of 1919 and then he and his family moved back to Oklahoma and lived on a farm near Cordell. In 1937 he moved to California with his family, where is lived till he passed away.

He had been sick for many years. On April 10, 1947, he had a heart attack which almost proved fatal, but after some time he slowly recovered and was able to be up and around. However, he never fully recovered. On June 11, 1951 his illness became serious and on July 2 he passed on to be with the Lord. He was a kind and loving husband and father. He leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved wife; a daughter, Miss Frieda Pankratz, of Los Angeles; five sons. Edward of Calioa, Calif., Rudolph D. of Dill City, Okla., Abe and John of Reedley, Calif., and F. C. of Selma, Calif; five daughters-in-law; 11 grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. H. G. Kliewer of Cordell, Okla. and Mrs. J. W. Schmidt of Reedley, Calif.; one brother, Ben Pankratz of Selma, Calif., and a host of relatives and friends.