Donald E. Pankratz

Donald Pankratz, 87, of Langdon, ND passed away Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Maple Manor Care Center in Langdon.

Donald Elroy Pankratz was born July 10, 1928 near Munich, ND to Jake and Katie (Fast) Pankratz. He attended school in Huron Township, Calvin and at Bethany Bible School. Donald married Viola Unruh in Warroad, MN on June 3, 1949. They farmed near Alsen for a couple years then in Huron Township. Donald retired from farming in 1999 but still continued to help his son and grandsons until just a couple years ago. In 1996, Donald and Viola moved to Langdon. He moved to Maple Manor Care Center in July of 2015 where he currently resided.

Donald seemed to be able to fix anything and was always tinkering on something. He loved to sing and was a member of the “Singsperations”, a group that entertained throughout the years at Maple Manor and Pembilier Nursing Home in Walhalla. He and Viola volunteered quite often, enjoying giving their time to AWANA in Langdon, Meals-on-Wheels and Langdon Senior Center, Maple Manor Care Center, and other church-based events. They offered their home up to anyone that needed a place to stay- family, missionaries, and even complete strangers. Donald was lucky enough to be able to travel to see almost all of his grandkids graduate and recently was able to watch his great-grandkids in their events. Donald was formerly treasurer of Huron Twp., served on the Clyde and Munich school boards, and was Salem Mennonite Church’s treasurer and a board member for many years. He was a member of Salem Mennonite Church in Munich and, while living in Langdon, was active at Emmanuel Evangelical Church.

Donald is survived by his wife, Viola, of Langdon, ND; children: Rosella (Tim) Clark of Arlington, TX, Wayne (Dawn) of Munich, Kathy Loewens of Omaha, NE, and Wanda of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: Erin (Christopher) Moore, Jennifer (Mark) Cameron, Chris (Marney) Pankratz, Chad (Sarah) Pankratz, Mary (David) Perry, Heather (Tim) Bedell, Katie (Chris) Olson, Travis (Rachel) Loewens, and Tyler (Laura) Loewens; 31 great-grandchildren; and sisters: Shirley (Dwayne) Klein of Langdon and Carolyn (Frank) Fast of Omaha, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Delores, and son-in-law Doug Loewens.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Emmanuel Evangelical Church in Langdon, ND. Visitation will take place on Friday, April 15, 2016 from 5-7:00 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home in Langdon and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

Interment: East Salem Cemetery- Munich, ND