Elvera Pankratz

Elvera Jantz Pankratz, age 91, died peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at the Lane Nursing Home in Inola, Ok.
She was born September 16, 1930 in Inola, Ok. to Anna and Ferdinand Jantz, the youngest of 11 children. She was the last living member of the Jantz siblings. She developed a love for music at an early age singing with her siblings in church. Elvera played piano and organ for the Eden Mennonite Church and even played piano for the nursing home residents up until her death.
After graduating from Inola High School in 1948 she attended Grace Bible Institute in Nebraska for 2 years. She returned home to attend nursing school at Hillcrest School of Nursing. Before she finished nursing school, a young Elmer Pankratz swept her off her feet. They married in 1952 settling in the farm house in Inola having 4 children. Once the nest was empty they made many trips to Colorado. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking (especially cinnamon rolls), family reunions and collecting miniatures. She will be remembered for her fun loving lifestyle and her delicious cinnamon rolls. She never met a stranger and accepted everyone on their own terms.
She is preceded in the death of her parents, siblings and her husband of 55 years, Elmer Pankratz. She is survived by her 4 children: Susan (Richard) Landers, Dwight (Frieda) Pankratz, Mary (John) Beasley and Anita Schumer: and 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, cousins and many nieces and nephews.