Pankratz, Katharina Loewen (1870-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Mar 24 p. 6

Birth date: 1870 Apr 21

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Alexanderwohl church near Goessel for Mrs. Jacob G. Pankratz, 89, who died at the Bethesda hospital March 19. Rev. John Thiessen, interim pastor of the church, and Rev. John Unruh of Goessel officiated. Mrs. Pankratz was born in South Russia and came to Marion county as a child. Surviving are her aged husband of the home in Goessel; three daughters, two sons, 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 May 5 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. JACOB G. PANKRATZ

Katharina (Loewen) Pankratz, daughter of Jacob and Susanna Loewen, was born April 21, 1870 in Gnadenheim, South Russia. She was one of five children. Two brothers and two sisters preceded her in death.

In 1876 she migrated with her parents to North America and settled in Marion County, Kansas in what is known as the Springfield community. She received her elementary education in the Springfield school. At the age of nine her mother paused away and so early in life many of the responsibilities of the home rested on her.

On June 10, 1889, at the age of 19, she was baptized upon her confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior by Rev. Jacob Buller and was received into the Alexanderwohl church where she remained a faithful member.

On September 22, 1891, she was married to Jacob G. Pankratz of Canton, Kansas, by Rev. Heinrich Banman and they made their home in the same community. They shared life's joys and sorrows for over 68 years and this union was blessed with three daughters and two sons.

It gave them great joy and blessing to observe their 25th wedding anniversary. In 1941 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, and in 1951 they observed their diamond jubilee, giving praise and honor to the One who had been with them in their joint pilgrimage.

In 1944 they made their home in Goessel and here they enjoyed many spiritual and temporal blessings, being released from the many tasks connected with farm life. Besides her daily duties in the home, she enjoyed the care of her flowers.

In June 1959 she became ill. On Feb. 13, 1960 she was taken to the Bethesda hospital to be under the doctor's care and received temporary relief. While a patient in the hospital for one week, being up and walking, she slipped and fell and broke her hip. While in the hospital her suffering was very severe at intervals. The last few days her suffering again became heavy, but she remained rational until her Savior released her on March 19, 1960, reaching the age of 89 years, 10 months, and 28 days.

She was much concerned about the spiritual life of her children and grandchildren and admonished them to live a Christian life that wold eventually culminate in a reunion in the heavenly home.

Four years ago father's health began to fail and as much as was possible she assisted her daughter, Lydia, in caring for him. She enjoyed church fellowship and after father's sickness attended as often as possible.

We mourn her passing but count it a blessing that she could go to be with her Savior. She leaves to mourn her departure her aged husband, Jacob; three daughters, Susanna, Mrs. Henry P. Buller and husband of Newton, Kan., Lydia of the home, and Agnes, Mrs. Rudolf Duerksen and husband of Canton, Kan.; two sons, Jacob L. Pankratz, and wife of Canton, Kan., and Albert L. Pankratz of Eldorado, Kan.; 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

One daughter-in-law, Mrs. Albert L. Pankratz and two grandchildren preceded her in death — The Family.