Pankratz, Jacob Henry (1895-1978)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1979 Feb 02 p. 37

Birth date: 1895 Nov 20

text of obituary:

JACOB HENRY PANKRATZ

Jacob Henry Pankratz of Clearbrook, B.C. passed away November 27. He was born to Heinrich and Elizabeth (nee Wiebe) Pankratz on November 20, 1895 in Franzthal, Russia. His father died when he was four, and as the oldest of three sons he had to assume adult responsibilities from a young age. During World War I he was conscripted into the medical corps and served till 1917. On June 8, 1921 he married Anna Dueck of Neu Samara. As a young man he took Jesus into his heart as Lord, Saviour and Master. He was baptized shortly after his marriage and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church. Jacob and Anna moved in the early 1920's to the Crimea region. He worked as a cabinet maker during the day and, with some twenty other young men and women, attended Bible school during the evening, studying under Rev. Johann Toews. They emigrated from Europe and settled near Waldheim, Sask., but after a harsh winter and disastrous fire in which they lost all their possessions, they moved to Yarrow, B.C. in 1928. They lived in the Clearbrook area from 1934 on.

He leaves to mourn his wife Anna; two sons, Jacob and Anita and Harry and Welma; two daughters, Helen and David Krahn and Luella and Menno Dyck; 21 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Two children predeceased him, infant Herbert, and (Mrs.) Anne Sawatsky in 1964.

The funeral service, November 29 in the Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church was conducted by pastor John G. Baerg and Rev. Herman Lenzmann.