Martha Henze

Martha Pankratz, the daughter of John A. and Helena (Entz) Pankratz was born on August 21, 1913, at Mountain Lake, MN. She received her education at a country school near her home. Martha was baptized upon confession of her faith and became a member of the Gospel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake. She later transfered her membership to the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mountain Lake, where she remained a long-time member. On June 18, 1936, Martha was united in marriage to Carl August Henze at the Gospel Mennonite Church. They made their home and farmed together in Selma Township, Cottonwood County. After retiring in 1975, they moved into Mountain Lake. Martha and Carl enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe following their retirement. Carl died on April 26, 1995. Martha served in several church organizations including Ladies Aid and as a Sunday School teacher. She also enjoyed sewing and spending time with her family. Martha died on Tuesday morning, November 8, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake. She attained the age of 92 years. Martha is survived by two sons, Donald and his wife Elaine Henze of Mountain Lake, MN, and Harvey Henze of Wausau, WI; a son-in-law, Jerald Elder of Sierra Vista, AZ; many grandchildren great grandchildren; a great great grandson; two sisters, Susan Halverson of LeSueur, MN, and Esther and her husband Carl Nelson of St. James, MN; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Carl Henze; a daughter, Eunice Elder; a daughter-in-law, Ilah Henze; a great grandson, Matthew Henze; six sisters, Marie Peters, Ernestine Manz, Agnes Nettie Blauvelt, Doris VanSchooten, Helen Weigold and Hilda Schmidt Ernst; and three brothers, Jacob, John and Alex Pankratz.