Jane M. Pankratz, 97, passed away on December 26, 2015, surrounded by her family, at The Woodlands in Fond du Lac.
Jane was born on September 2, 1918, a daughter of Joseph E. and Anna (Wachal) Tesar. She graduated from Clintonville High School in 1936, and Miss Brown’s School of Business in Milwaukee,WI in 1937. After graduation, Jane worked in Clintonville at Four Wheel Drive and Brunner Law Offices.
Jane married Kenneth J. Pankratz at St. Rose Catholic Church in Clintonville, WI on August 30, 1947. In 1956, they moved to the Fond du Lac area. Jane was employed as a cashier at the Fond du Lac Clinic from 1957 until her retirement in December 1984. Jane enjoyed reading, watching the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers, and dining at Schreiner’s Restaurant. Jane was a member of Holy Family Catholic Community, the Daughters of Isabel and St. Joseph’s Altar Society.
Jane is survived by two children; JoAnn (David J.) Schmitz and Robert J. (Susan Knuth) Pankratz, grandchildren; David (Kimmie) Schmitz, Dominic (Amanda) Schmitz, Tristina Kaspar, Brian N. Schmitz, Stephanie (Andrew) Armstrong, Haley Pankratz, Riley Pankratz and Jamie Pankratz, great grandchildren; Sommer Schmitz, Julia Schmitz, Pierce Schmitz, Kiegan Kaspar, Grant Schmitz and Leah Schmitz. Jane is further survived by one sister-in-law, Rita Tesar and special friends, Jeryl Mathwig and Susan Shepherd. Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Pankratz, her parents, Joseph and Anna, one granddaughter, Carley Pankratz, one son-in-law, David Schmitz, and one brother, Robert J. Tesar.
Visitation: The family received relatives and friends on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 4th St. Way, Fond du Lac, from 11:00 to 12:45 p.m. Services: A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Calvary Cemetery.
If you should choose to do so, memorials in Jane’s name can be directed to St. Lawrence Seminary, 301 Church St., Mt. Calvary, WI 53057 or Marian University, 45 S. National Ave., Fond du Lac, WI 54935. The family would like to thank the staff at The Woodlands Assisted Living and Agnesian Hospice Hope for their compassionate care of Jane. Zacherl Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com