Pankratz, Margaret Klassen (1867-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jan 22 p. 9

Birth date: 1867 Mar 10

text of obituary:

MRS. MARGARET PANKRATZ

Margaret Klassen, daughter of John and Agnes Nickel Klassen, was born March 10, 1867, in Michalin, Rissia [sic Russia] and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Val Krehbiel January 5, 1953, having reached the age of 85 years, nine months and 25 days.

At the age of seven, in the year 1874, she came to America with her parents, brothers, sisters, and many others. The group first settled in Harvey county, Kansas, where she grew to young womanhood. She was baptized and received into the Gnadenberg Mennonite church near Newton, Kansas.

On March 27, 1894, in the Johannestal church near Hillsboro, Kansas she married Jacob A. Pankratz, who preceded her in death July 24, 1952. They lived together 58 years and four months.

Their first home was established in Marion county, Kansas but in 1902 they bought a claim near Hydro, Okla., where they moved. Here they were charter members of the Bethel Mennonite church of Hydro.

In December of 1943 they moved from the home place, and the following March they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Later they moved to Hydro where she lived until March, 1952 when upon her request she moved to the home for the aged at Corn, Okla. Here she enjoyed many happy days until she became ill in September and failed gradually afterwards. The last few months her prayers have been that she might be with her Heavenly Father as she felt her work here on earth was finished. She was brought to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Val Krehbiel Sunday morning where she went quietly to sleep Monday morning and died in this same sleep.

She is survived by 11 children, Ben of Inola, Mrs. Agnes Janzen and Mrs. Mary Janzen, both of Dallas, Oregon, Mrs. Martha Entz of Hinton, Herman of Kanarado, Kansas, Mrs. Helen Duerksen of Dallas, Oregon, Mrs. Margaret Krehbiel and Edward; both of Hydro, Mrs. Katie Froese, Inola, Jake and Alex, both of Hydro; three sisters, Mrs. Helen Gerbrandt of Drake, Sask., Mrs. Nettie Pankratz, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mrs. Sarah Ratzlaff, Buhler, Kansas; 43 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. She was a faithful, loving mother and friend, and will be sadly missed.