Pankratz, Sara Loewens (1864-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Feb 11 p, 6

Birth date: 1861 Oct 18

text of obituary:

— Funeral services were held at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church Wednesday afternoon for Mrs. Peter G. Pankratz, 92, pioneer resident of the Goessel community. Rev. P. A. Wedel officiated. Mrs. Pankratz, the former Sara Loewen [sic Loewens], was born in South Russia Oct. 18, 1861, and came to this country in 1875. She is survived by two foster daughters Mrs. C. C. Reimer of Route 2 Hillsboro, and Mrs. John S. Reimer of McPherson, and a number of grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Feb 25 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. SARA LOEWENS PANKRATZ

Mrs. Sara Loewens Pankratz was born Oct 18, 1861, in Fuerstenwereder, South Russia. There she received her elementary school training.

In 1875 she emigrated to the U. S. with her mother, two sisters and two brothers and settled on a farm northeast of the Alexanderwohl church, in the vicinity known as Steinbach. She was baptized upon confession of faith in her Redeemer by Rev. Jacob Buller Dec. 4, 1881, and was therewith received into the Alexanderwohl church whose faithful member she remained until her death.

April 2, 1898, she was married to Peter G. Pankratz, with whom she shared life’s joys and sorrows for 49 years, two months and 19 days. She took the place of mother for two children, Maria (Mrs. C. C. Reimer) and Elizabeth, (Mrs. John S. Reimer). Her husband passed away June 21, 1947, and she was therefore a widow for six years, seven months and 16 days.

The departed mother spent six years on the farm after her marriage and then they moved to Lehigh where she lived for forty years. Later because of health she moved with her husband to the home of one of her children, Mrs. John S. Reimer and family where she lived for seven years, with the exception of the last nine months which she spent with her daughter, Mrs. C. C. Reimer and family.

She enjoyed quite good health all of her life until her declining years. Since the beginning of the year she suffered considerably and everything was done to help her in her sickness. The finest care was given her by the children and in the last few weeks in the Bethesda hospital by the doctor and nurses.

She passed away to her reward on Saturday, Feb. 6, 1954, and reached the age of 92 years, three months, and 18 days.

The life of the departed was also filled with many hardships, especially those endured during the early days of pioneer life. Her trust and faith in her Saviour carried her through the many cares that confronted her. In the last days of her life she longed intensely to be redeemed from pain and suffering, and to her also was given the promise, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that should be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18. We believe that she is now experiencing this glory.

She leaves to mourn her departure: Marie, Mrs. Cornelius Reimer and family of Hillsboro, Elizabeth, Mrs. John S. Reimer and family of McPherson; five brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

“They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Heb. 11:16.

Funeral services were held in the Bergen funeral home on Wednesday afternoon and at the Alexanderwohl church February 10, 1954, in charge of her pastor Rev. P. A. Wedel. Rev. Frank Pankratz, a brother-in-law of the departed, conducted the services in the funeral home in the German language.