Eva B. Duerksen
Married Name:
Eva Duerksen Pankratz
Born: February 22, 1873
Place: Gnadenthal, South Russia
Died: November 8, 1939
Place: Marion County, Kansas
MOTHER:
Aganetha Balzer
FATHER:
Johann Duerksen
SIBLINGS:
Maria B. Duerksen
Johann J. Duerksen
Heinrich J. Duerksen
Helena B. Duerksen
Peter J. Duerksen
Katherina B. Duerksen
Jacob J. Duerksen (1/16/1867-1/25/1867)
Cornelius Duerksen
Aganetha Duerksen
Gerhard J. Duerksen
Anna B. Duerksen
Susanna B. Duerksen
David B. Duerksen
SPOUSE:
John M. Pankratz (9/24/1870 - 9/23/1950)
Married: January 19, 1893
Place: Marion County, Kansas
CHILDREN:
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Pankratz (12/11/1893 - 4/17/1927)
Johann (John) D. Pankratz (6/28/1896 - 12/25/1974)
Peter D. Pankratz (3/17/1898 - 3/6/1966)
Aganetha Pankratz (6/27/1900 - 4/13/1963)
Heinrich (Henry) D. Pankratz (12/19/1901 - Unknown)
Jacob Pankratz (12/17/1903 - 7/29/1904)
Eva Pankratz (5/28/1905 - Unknown)
Marie Pankratz (11/20/1906 - Unknown)
Martha Pankratz (1/28/1909 - Unknown)
Tina Pankratz (11/26/1910 - Unknown)
Margret Pankratz (12/25/1913 - Unknown)
Ernest Pankratz (1/17/1917 - 7/31/1945)
IN MEMORY OF OUR PARENTS JOHN M. and EVA (DUERKSEN) PANKRATZ
Written by Children Eva (Pankratz) Funk and Margaret (Pankratz) Richert
Our mother was 5 years of age when she came with her parents to his country in 1878. She married father on January 19, 1893. Together they built their home on a farm in the Steinbach community. They spent all their lives on this farm except the last few years after father’s retirement and when he was a widower.
They raised a family of 7 girls and 4 boys. Another son died in infancy. We were taught the Christian way of life at home. Sunday School and Church were attended regularly, traveling by horse and buggy in the early years.
Back Row: Agnes, Martha, Lizzie, John, Peter, Henry
Front Row: Marie, Tina, Ernest, John M., Eva, Margaret, Eva
In order to help provide for the family, mother raised a large vegetable garden every summer. We also had a fruit orchard. The girls kept busy with the many household chores, the garden and fruit. Mother loved flowers, so there were many flowers around the house in the summer. One special treat we had as children was the joy of stringing 4 0’clocks on long stems of bachelor buttons, having a string ready for each one at the supper table.
Raising chickens and other farm animals was a necessity for livelihood. Everyone needed to help with the care and feeding of these animals. When some of us lagged behind in our work, we were reminded of II Thes. 3:10; “Wer nicht arbeiten will, soll auch night essen.” (If any would not work, neither should he eat.)
Father managed a large farm. But it took many hands to do all the work. Nearly everyone was involved in fieldwork during the busy seasons. However, Marie and Katie were more adept to handling horses. So they often were chosen to work in the field.
Mother was of a quiet disposition. Her faith and trust in God was exemplified by the singing of hymns while working at her tasks. Her favorite chorus was “Christi Blut und gerechtigkeit, Das ist mein schmuch und Ehrenkleid, Damit will ich for Gott bestehn, Wenn ich zum Himmel werd engehn.”
Three of the Duerksen sisters – Aunt Ann Duerksen Krause, Aunt Ann Duerksen Krause, Aunt Susie Duerksen Goossen, and our mother lived in close proximity of each other. When farm work was not pressing, they would exchange visits since they lived within walking distance of each other. It must have been a time of relaxation for them. We’re sure many important questions were discussed during these visits, as well as joys and sorrows shared. Occasionally mother would take a horse and buggy to go and visit Aunt Maria Duerksen Schmidt, who lived 3 miles away.
A sadness came into our family in 1928 when our sister Lizzie died following child birth and pneumonia leaving 5 small children. Two of the boys lived with our parents for a number of years. By God’s grace they were able to provide for them and show them their love. In 1945 our hearts were saddened again when our brother Ernest died very suddenly.
Most of us were able to attend preparatory school at Goessel and some of us had high school education.
Mother passed away at the age of 66 years and father at the age of 80. We are grateful as a family for our Christian heritage and, with God’s help, we want to pass it on to our children. Let Christ be the Head of the Home!
