Pankratz, Mary Engbrecht (1904-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 Oct 03 p. 31

Birth date: 1904 Mar 27

text of obituary:

MRS. MARY PANKRATZ

Mary Pankratz (nee Engbrecht) went to be with her Lord on August 25. She was born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter D. Engbrecht, March 27,1904 in the Crimea, South Russia. When she was four years old she moved with her family to Siberia where she spent her youth and received her education. She accepted Christ as her Saviour and in 1922 was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren Church.

In 1925 the Peter Engbrecht family emigrated to Mexico and in 1926 to Canada where they settled in southern Manitoba.

On November 13, 1927 she married John Pankratz at Brookdale, Man. They shared their joys and sorrows for almost 48 years: the first eight at Truax, Sask., 17 at Justice, Man., and the past 22 years in Steinbach.

She was always keenly aware of the needs of others which showed in her willingness to help in Ladies Aid projects and in her neighbourhood. She was also constantly concerned about her family's spiritual welfare.

Both her parents, three brothers and one sister predeceased her. She leaves to mourn her beloved husband, John; four sons: Peter of Brookdale, Man., John of Justice, Man., Arthur of Winnipeg, Henry of Ottawa; two daughters: Lydia (Mrs. Henry) Miszczak of Winnipeg, Justina (Mrs. John) Janzen of Brandon; 19 grandchildren; one brother and one sister.