Pankratz, Jacob A. (1868-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Sep 4 p. 9

Birth date: 1868 Sep 29

text of obituary:

JACOB A. PANKRATZ

Jacob A. Pankratz, eldest son of Alexander and Agnas Hildebrant [sic Aganetha Hildebrandt] Pankratz, was born September 29, 1868, in Paulsheim, Russia, and died at the Sammons Nursing home at Weatherford, Okla., July 25, 1952, at the age of 83 years, nine months and 26 days.

His early boyhood was spent in Russia. At the age of 14 he, with his parents, came to the United States and settled in Marion county, Kansas where he grew to young manhood. There he met Margaret Klassen and on March 27, 1894, they were married in the Johannestal church near Hillsboro, Kansas.

In 1902, he bought a claim near Hydro, where they lived until December, 1943.

In March, 1944, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and at the time of his death, had lived together 58 years and four months. Later they moved to Hydro where he resided until he became ill, and on January 18, 1951, he entered the Hinton hospital. He remained there seven months and spent the last 11 months in the Sammons Nursing home at Weatherford.

He is survived by his wife; 11 children, Ben of Inola, Agnas [sic Agnetha] (Mrs. John Janzen) and Mary (Mrs. Pete Jansen) both of Dallas, Oregon, Martha (Mrs. G. B. Entz), of Hilton, Herman, Kanarado, Kansas, Helen (Mrs. Henry Duerksen) of Dallas, Oregon, Margaret (Mrs. Val Krehbiel) of Hydro, Edward, Hydro, Katie (Mrs. Jake Froesse, Jr.), Inola, Jake, Jr. and Alex, Hydro; two brothers, Henry, Dinuba, California and Alex, Mountain Lake, Minnesota; three sisters, Mrs. Marry Brandt, British Columbia, Canada, Mrs. Katie Wiens, Windom, Minn., and Mrs. Margaret Kroeker, Inola; 43 grandchildren and 24 greatgrandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by two daughters who died in infancy, his parents, two brothers and one sister.

At the age of 23 he was baptized and joined the Brudertal Mennonite church of Hillsboro and was a charter member of the Bethel Mennonite church of Hydro.

He was a faithful husband and father and will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon July 27 at the Bethel Mennonite church, Rev. Waldo Kaufman officiating.

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Thiessen and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Nachtigall sang for the service, with Mrs. Waldo Kaufman as accompanist.

Bearers were Arthur Dick, Harold Entz, Emil Heidebrecht, John Thiessen, Herman Penner and John Warkentin.

Burial was in the Bethel Mennonite cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1952 Aug 26 p. 535