Elsie Marie Pankratz

Elsie Marie Pankratz, 96, of Goshen died at 9:45 p.m., Thursday, February 22, 2007 at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen.   She was born March 1, 1910 in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, to Abraham and  Aganetha (Balzer) Penner.  On August 21, 1933 in Mountain Lake she married Henry J. Pankratz.  He preceded her in death on October 3, 2006.   She is survived by three daughters, Lenore (James) Waltner, Goshen, Louise (Emil) Kreider, Beloit, Wisconsin, Barbara (John) Fast, Harrisonburg, Virginia; one son, Stanley (Eileen) Pankratz, Minneapolis, Minnesota; ten grandchildren, two step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, 3 step-great-grandchildren.    She was preceded in death by two sisters, Hulda Rich and Martha Unruh; one brother, Albert Penner.   She was a member of Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake Minnesota; was a graduate of Mt. Lake High School and attended the University of Minnesota; an active supporter of her husband’s farming business and many community and church activities.  She was especially interested in art, music, quilting, handwork, church and local history and she enjoyed entertaining numerous guests.  Elsie and her husband Henry visited many countries around the world, seeing friends they had made.   Elsie was a homemaker.   A memorial service will be held at a later date at Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minnesota with Pastor Amy Missley of Bethel Mennonite Church and Rev. James Waltner, her son-in-law officiating.  Burial will be in Mountain Lake Cemetery, Mountain Lake, Minnesota.   Memorials may be given to Mennonite Central Committee or Mennonite Mission Network.   Interment will follow in the Mountain Lake Cemetery, .   Contributions may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee.