Pankratz, Helen Unrau (1904-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jan 31 p. 6

Birth date: 1904 Mar 2

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services for Mrs. Albert Pankratz, 52, who died Saturday at Bethel Deaconess Hospital after a long illness, were conducted Tuesday morning at the Emmaus church near Whitewater and Tuesday afternoon at the Alexanderwohl church. Rev. L. R. Amstutz and Rev. P. A. Wedel officiated. Mrs. Pankratz was the former Ellen [sic Helena] Unrau. The family lived at Goessel until 1949 when they moved to the Eldorado vicinity. Surviving are her husband; four children, Homer of Aberdeen, Idaho, Norman of Scott City, Donald and Janice at home; her father, Jacob Unrua [sic Unrau] of Canton; two brothers and five sisters.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Feb 14 p. 8, 10

text of obituary:

MRS. ALERT PANKRATZ

Helen Unrau Pankratz,daughter of Maria (Banman) and Jacob Unrau, was born at Goessel, Kansas March 2, 1904.

Her early years were spent on her parents' farm near Goessel. She received her elementary education at the Bloomfield rural school. She attended the Goessel Preparatory school for two years, and Bethel College Academy one year.

In 1922 she felt a deeper need for spiritual understanding of the Bible and for a consecrated life. She then joined the Catechism class and was baptized upon confession of her faith onJune4, 1922, by Rev. Peter H. Unruh and was received into the membership of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church. Later this membership was transferred to the Emmaus Mennonite church.

On Oct. 14, 1927, she was united in marriage to Albert Pankratz at the Alexanderwohl Church by Rev. Jacob J. Banman. They lived together through joy and sorrow for 29 years, three months and 12 days. To this union were born three sons and one daughter.

After living with her husband's parents for several years, they moved on a farm three miles east and one mile south of Canton where they lived for twenty years. In the fall of 1949 they moved to a farm east of Potwin where they resided till the time of her death.

She took active part in church work, teaching a children's Sunday school class and taking part in the Mission Sewing Society.

An event that she looked forward to with great anticipation was the celebration of their silver wedding anniversary. Shortly before the anniversary was to take place, mother was taken to the hospital where she went through the first of a series of operations for malignant tumors. All through her illness she complained very little, but was always trying to make the best of life. She died Saturday morning, Jan. 26, 1957, at 2:50 a.m. in firm faith of her Saviour, at the age of 52 years, 20 months and 26 days.

She was preceded in death by her mother and infant brother.

Those who morn [sic] her departure are: her husband Albert; danghter [sic], Jance [sic Janice] and son Donald, both at home; Homer and wife, Justina, and their children Terresa and Christina of Aberdeen, Idaho; Norman and wife, Lorraine of Scott City, Kansas; Her father, Jacob B. Unrau, Goessel; brothers and sisters, Bertha, Mrs. Frank Schmidt of Dallas, Oregon, Eva, Mrs. Jake Nickel, North Newton, Rufus Unrau, Lehigh, Jacob Unrau, Goessel, Marie Unrau, Goessel, Velda, Mrs. Melvin Gaeddert of Buhler, Norma, Mrs. Leslie Schrag, Moundridge, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were conducted Jan. 29, 1957, at 10:00 a.m. at the Emmaus Mennonite church and 2:00 p.m. at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church, Rev. L. R. Amstutz and Rev. P. A. Wedel officiating.