Pankratz, Helena Entz (1883-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Mar 9 p. 9

Birth date: 1883 Oct 19

text of obituary:

STRICKEN AT SUNDAY SERVICE, DIES

Mt. Lake, Minn. — A cerebral hemorrhage suffered while attending morning services at the Bethel Mennonite church here Feb. 26 proved fatal two days later to Jacob Fast, 67. Funeral services were held at the Bethel church on March 5, Rev. Albert Gaeddert officiating.

Funeral services for Mrs. Helena Pankratz, 77, who died at the Bethel Nursing home after a long illness, were held at the Gospel Mennonite Church on March 2, with Rev. J. J. Esau in charge. She leaves 12 children and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Mar 30 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. HELENA PANKRATZ

Our mother, Mrs. Helena Entz Pankratz, was born Oct. 19, 1883, in a farm home northwest of Mt. Lake, Minn. She lived her entire life in this community, being the youngest daughter of Jacob and Maria Entz. She received her education in the local Christian Bible School.

In the spring of1902 she received catechism instruction and was baptized upon her confession of faith that Jesus Christ was her personal Saviour by the Elder Heinrich Quiring at the Bergfelder church, now the Gospel Mennonite church. Here she remained a faithful member until her death, always enjoying the spiritual nurture and fellowship of the church.

Mother was married to John A. Pankratz on Oct. 30, 1906. They made their home on the farm northwest of Mt. Lake, moving into town in 1943. To this union were born 12 children. There were 44 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Our parents had the joy of living together for almost 45 years, father preceding her in death on Sept. 5, 1951. Many were the trials, but God's grace was sufficient.

We appreciate mother's kindness, thoughtfulness, unchanging patience, and her untiring love, both to us children and others.

She leaves to mourn, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Peters (Marie), Mt. Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Chris Schulte (Nettie), Butterfield; Mr. and Mrs. Jake Pankratz, Mt. Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Arlie Manz (Ernstina [sic Ernestine “Tina”]), Paynesville; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Henze (Martha), Mt. Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Gay Weigold (Helen), Mt. Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Olson (Susan), Mt. Lake; Mr. John M. Pankratz, Anchorage, Alaska; Mr. and Mrs. Alexander A. Pankratz, San Diego, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Willie Schmidt (Hilda),Kelsey, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Nelson (Esther), St. James; and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Van Schooten (Doris), Princeton, Neb.; and a host of relatives and friends.

She reached the age of 77 years, four months, and seven days. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1961 Mar 28 p. 223