GERHARD (GEORGE) PANKRATZ

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GERHARD (GEORGE) PANKRATZ Following a short and courageous battle with cancer, on Friday, June 15, 2001, at his sons residence with his family by his side, Gerhard (George) Pankratz, of Portage la Prairie, widower of the late Margarethe, passed away at the age of 82 years. Funeral service will be held at the Portage Mennonite Church, 13th St. NW, and Lorne Avenue, on Tuesday, June 19 at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow in the family plot at Hillside Cemetery, Kamloops, BC. Gerhard was born on November 7, 1918, son of Mr. and Mrs. Pankratz in the Ukraine where he was raised and received his education. He married in Germany and started to raise his family of seven children of which three were born in Germany and four in Canada. In 1950 the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Winnipeg where he was employed at Monarch Industries as a molder for 33 years before retiring in 1983. Margarethe and Gerhard then moved to spend their retirement years in Kamloops. He returned to Portage in December of 1999 to reside with his son. Gerhard was a member of the Portage Mennonite Church. While residing in Winnipeg, he centred his life around his family and home, enjoying the upkeep of his yard. After his retirement he enjoyed fishing and growing fruit trees. He also made several trips to Germany during his retirement to visit his family and relatives. Predeceased by his wife Margarethe in 1997, grandson Rodger in 1980, several brothers and sisters in Germany, he leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory children, Gertrude (Peter) Dyck, Kamloops, Heinz (Janice) Pankratz, Yellowknife, NT, Gunter (Jean) Pankratz, Thompson, MB, George (Sue) Pankratz, Kamloops, Kornelius (Kelly) Pankratz, Portage la Prairie, Betty (Doug) Southall, Edmonton, Peter (Lorna) Pankratz, Headingly; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are one brother and four sisters, all of Germany, and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the church for viewing prior to the service on Tuesday. The Omega Funeral Home, Portage la Prairie, is in care of the arrangements. Friends may leave a message and sign the register book at our website www.legacy.com "Where life stories live on"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 18, 2001