Henry Pankratz

Henry J. Pankratz, the son of Jacob B. and Helena (Harder) Pankratz was born on January 10, 1911, on the family farm south of Mountain Lake, MN. He received his education at Mountain Lake Public School and graduated in 1929. During his childhood,Henry attended First Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, and in 1929, he was baptized upon confession of his faith at Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, where he remained a member. On August 21, 1933, Henry was united in marriage to Elsie Penner.They made their home in the Mountain Lake area, where he began farming with chickens, then turkeys, and gradually adding acerage for grain farming and cattle. The early years were difficult as the couple weathered the Great Depression and severeMinnesota blizzards that wiped out most of the turkey crop. He became a leader of the farming community, serving on the boards of the Production Credit Association, and the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association. He was also active in the community andchurch, serving on the school board for 21 years, local and state 4-H, the Mountain Lake Community Club, several church committees and chairing the church building program. In 1945, Henry volunteered to go to Yugoslavia with a Church of the BrethrenHeifer Project. However, an injury on the trip caused him to return early. Henry and Elsie enjoyed traveling, and in 1965 they traveled around the world on a four month trip, on which they visited the birthplace of their parents in Molochna, Ukraine.They surved as a host family for a refugee, exchange students, and hosted numerous international guests. Henry served as a member of and traveled to several countries with Mennonite Economic Development Associates for many years including a period aspresident. Henry and Elsie sold their home in Mountain Lake in September 1992, and moved to Greencroft retirement community in Goshen, IN. For any achievements in his life, Henry would give credit to Elsie, his loving, supportive wife of 73 years. Henry is survived by his wife, Elsie Pankratz of Goshen, IN; three daughters, Lenore (James) Waltner of Goshen, Louise (Emil) Kreider of Beloit, WI, and Barbara (John) Fast of Harrisonburg, VA; a son, Stanley (Eileen) Pankratz of Minneapolis, MN; 10grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Mable (John J.) Pankratz; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Anna (Jacob M.) Harder; two brothers, Peter and John; and a brother Jacob and sister Lena, who died as children. Memorials may be directed to MEDA (Mennonite Economic Developement Associates ) or MCC (Mennonite Central Commitee).