VERNON PANKRATZ

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VERNON PANKRATZ In peace and with God's loving arms around him, with his family at his side, our husband, dad, grandpa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach at the age of 75. Vern leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Florence, three children, Ken (Marilyn), Lynelle (Randy), and Jason (Tiffany), and five granddaughters, Alayna, Danae, Sydney, Hanna, and Ruby, sisters and brother, Hilda, Alvera, Helmut (Delores), brother-in-law Ed (Elsie). Dad was predeceased by his mother and father, Justina and Heinrich, sisters and brother, Anne (Bill), Henry, Lydia, mother-in-law Anna Isaac, brothers-in-law, Bill and Bob. Dad was born in Steinbach, MB on April 24, 1936. He attended the Grace Mennonite Church in Steinbach. He started farming with his brother Helmut. When the physical strain of farming was more than his health would allow he started electrical service work. After being employed only a few years the entrepreneurial spirit overtook him. He first started Pankratz Electric, then Aspen Grove Mobile Village, and continued with several other projects including Signex Manufacturing and real-estate development. His wife of over 50 years, Florence, cared for Vern and his diabetes related ailments with a love and compassion throughout his life through to his final days. Dad had a love for family, friends, music, engineering, machinery, land development. Dad had a real love in his heart for the Lord. His strong faith and loving heart sustained him through his life. Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel on Thursday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. and at the church prior to the service. The funeral service will be held Friday, March 2 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grace Mennonite Church, 430 Third St, Steinbach. Interment at Heritage Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Vern Pankratz to The Canadian Diabetes Association, 200-310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0S6 or The Gideons, PO Box 3619 Stn Main; Guelph, ON N1H 9Z9. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 29, 2012