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HELEN PANKRATZ Helen Pankratz passed away peacefully on June 19, 2015 at the Grace Hospital at the age of 91. Helen is survived by her daughters Catherine Enns and Ruth Taronno (Tony) and grandchildren Sandy (Gillian), Laura, Jamie (Tara), David (Julia) and Christy (Danny) as well as her beloved great grandchild Oswald. She is also survived by her sisters Agnes Warkentin, Margaret Frost (Tim), brother Frank Klassen (Helen) sisters and brothers in law, Mary Klassen, Rudy Pankratz and Justina Bergmann, Jake and Margaret Pankratz and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Ernie on April 9, 2015, her parents, Julius and Maria Klassen, and her brothers Abraham and Werner. Helen was born in Steinbach, Manitoba on April 16, 1924 and grew up in Grunthal. In the early 1950's a very handsome young man came to town to teach and the rest is history. Ernie and Helen were married on July 6, 1952 and started their married life in Moosehorn, Manitoba. They moved many times in and gathered friends wherever they went. Always hospitable, their home was often the scene of impromptu get-togethers and more formal celebrations. In retirement, Ernie and Helen travelled extensively, including six Caribbean cruises and a trip to Germany. In between trips they enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren. Helen and Ernie were active in the First Mennonite Church for many years, singing in the choir, and Helen for many years was the go to person to organize funeral lunches. She also proudly volunteered for over 20 years at the St. Boniface Hospital and later Concordia Hospital, receiving the Canada Volunteer Award Certificate of Merit awarded by Health and Welfare Canada. After retiring from the church choir, Helen served for years with the occasional choir at the church, singing at many funerals. Helen loved people it was all about connections and relationships for her and until the end, she loved the company she received in the hospital and still wanted to be in the middle of things. For that we are very grateful. The family would like to thank the Supportive Housing staff at Lions Manor for their caring support for the past four years. The Memorial Service will take place on Tuesday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m. at First Mennonite Church, Notre Dame and Alverstone, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's memory may be made to MCC Manitoba.
Publish Date: Jun 22, 2015
HELEN PANKRATZ Peacefully, Helen Pankratz passed away at Grace Hospital on Friday, June 19, 2015. Helen is survived by her daughters Catherine Enns and Ruth Taronno (Tony); grandchildren Sandy (Gillian), Laura, Jamie (Tara), David (Julia), Christy (Danny); and beloved great-grandchild Oswald. She is also survived by her brother Frank Klassen (Helen); sisters Agnes Warkentin and Margaret Frost (Tim); brothers and sisters-in-law Mary Klassen, Jake and Margaret Pankratz, Justina Bergmann and Rudy Pankratz; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements are pending, and a longer obituary to follow.
FRIENDS FUNERAL SERVICE
204-339-5555
Publish Date: Jun 20, 2015
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 22, 2015
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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Last summer Helen helped us with advice on the Lindenwoods experience. Today I was looking for her phone number to set up lunch meetings at Lions Manor for the summer. Instead I found her obituary. A life-lesson in procrastination. She offered us her powerful organizing abilities in Winnipeg for our Low German theatrics,from "Grigoriewka" to "Onse Groote Ditje Dietsche Kjasst." And she happily performed on stage when asked, as when she wheeled Ernie onto the stage for Sheila's Fringe production of "The Final Departure Lounge." It was the last public act in the old Eaton's Building before demolition. Helen, we made a mistake: we thought your energy was indestructible. We can only echo Jack's blessing:"Ruhe sanft, wie verdient." Sheila & Wilmer - Posted by: Wilmer Penner & Sheila Reid (Theatre ) on: Jun 28, 2015
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I am so sorry to see this news about your mom. My parent was in the bed next to your mom at the Grace the week before her passing. She and I had a lovely chat and I found out some interesting things about her life. My sincere condolences. - Posted by: Yvonne Burman () on: Jun 23, 2015
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Our sincere sampathy to Kathy, Ruth and your family.. Your parents were lovely people, now they are together... Take care....Roger & Vicki Poitras - Posted by: Roger & Vicki Poitras (Transcona friend and Neighbour from 15 Burnaby Bay) on: Jun 22, 2015
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Ruth and Cathy, I was saddened to read of your mom's passing. She was a wonderful lady, you will have many special memories of her to keep in your heart forever. My condolences to your family, Tracey Hamin - Posted by: Tracey Hamin () on: Jun 22, 2015
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There are only two people alive who have known Helen longer than I have. Helen was born to a white-haired, fair-minded noble businessman in town and a mother, daughter to the Graf von Luxemburg, a fiercely moustached aristocrat who sold grain to nation customers in the Middle East short years after navigation became routine. Helen was involved on all levels of life, all her life, in many places where the teaching assignments of her husband Ernie, a raconteur in every league, took her. We never discussed matters of faith because we knew where we stood. We knew that God loved us and we Him. Both Ernie and now Helen left the world a better place than they entered. Ruhe sanft, wie verdient! - Posted by: Jack Thiessen (life-long friend) on: Jun 22, 2015
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I only met Helen once and thought, what a lovely vibrant woman. I was shocked to hear that she had passed. Cathy, thinking of you and your family,take care - Posted by: Carla Hocken (Friend of Cathy) on: Jun 22, 2015
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Our sincere condolences to her family. She will be very missed. She was such a social butterfly. So hospitable. Always ready to visit and open her house for company. She loved keeping in touch with family . Will miss her at extended family gatherings . God Bless you all as you mourn . Love Rudy and Sylvia - Posted by: Rudy and Sylvia Warkentin (Cousin) on: Jun 22, 2015