Opal C. Pankratz
HESSTON - Opal Candace
Pankratz, 96, died Wednesday (Oct. 24, 2007) at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.
She was born May 31, 1911, on the family farm five miles southeast of Canton,
to Della May Landes and Ammon Bitikofer. A member of the Spring Valley
Mennonite Church, she attended Bunker Hill Elementary School until her family
moved to Hesston in 1923, where she continued her education, graduating from
Hesston Academy in 1931. On May 18, 1936, she married Gilbert P. Pankratz in
Hesston. He survives of the home. They lived in Moundridge for a number of
years before moving to Wichita where they spent most of their lives, eventually
returning to Hesston in their retirement.
While in Wichita, she was an
active member of College Hill United Methodist Church and its Silver Link
Sunday School Class, as well as Amity, its women's group. She enjoyed cooking,
crocheting, raising beautiful roses and flowers, and her role as a homemaker.
Other survivors include a son
and wife, Gaylon and Lu Ann Pankratz of Larned; two grandsons and wives,
Michael and Christine Pankratz of Wichita, and David and Kellie Pankratz of
Cheney; and five great grandchildren, Nicholas, Daniel, Thomas, Noel and Lily
Pankratz.
She was preceded in death by
a brother, Kenneth Bitikofer; and a sister, Ferne Liller.
Visitation will be from 6 to
8 p.m. today at Schowalter Villa Chapel, 200 W. Cedar in Hesston.
Graveside service will be at
11 a.m. Wednesday at Hesston City Cemetery with Pastor Tom Schneider presiding.
Memorials may be sent to
Hesston United Methodist Church or to Schowalter Villa in care of Miller
Funeral Home in Hesston.
