Eulala R Pankratz

Eulala Ruth Hiebert Pankratz passed away early Wednesday, July 10, at Kidron Bethel in North Newton, Kansas. She was born at home to parents Lizzie and Ben Hiebert in Walton, Kansas on September 27, 1928. She was valedictorian of her senior class at Walton High School, graduating in 1946. She attended Bethel College to earn her associate degree in Elementary Education. 

During her second year at Bethel she met the love of her life, Theodore (Ted) W. Pankratz. They were married on November 22, 1950. In the fall of 1952, when her first daughter was born, she became a full time mother and homemaker. Her second daughter was born in 1956, her son followed in 1961. 

Eulala was instrumental in starting the Walton Community Library, where she later became the part-time librarian, also serving on the state library board. When all three children were in school, she accepted a secretarial position at Walton Elementary. During this time her husband was elected mayor of Walton. Eulala was a great support to him, volunteering her skills to help in organizing municipal records. This led to a 20 year career with the city of Walton; 16 of them serving as city clerk. She retired in 1994. 

After her retirement Eulala filled her calendar with weekly volunteer commitments at Newton Et Cetera Shop, serving as their treasurer and bookkeeper, and at MCC, sewing school bags. She was involved in church activities her entire life. At the Walton Mennonite Church she served as Sunday school superintendent, as well as Sunday school teacher. She was active in Vacation Bible School. Later in her life, she and her husband Ted became founding members of Shalom Mennonite Church in Newton. 

Eulala surprised us with an adventurous travel spirit after she retired. Included in her travels were an Alaskan cruise and a New York Broadway theater tour with her sister-in- law Woody; a Scotland ramble with her daughter's family; and an epic journey to ancestral homelands in Ukraine with her sister Grace. 

Eulala always had projects around her home, including sewing fashionable outfits for her daughters and later on grandchildren. She loved creating new beauty out of old well- used furniture, painting, wallpapering, reupholstering furniture, and sewing home accessories. She spent time outdoors daily, gardening and landscaping. She mowed her expansive lawn with a push mower until she was 90. She wrote family histories and researched genealogy. She created holiday magic for family Christmases and rituals for family birthdays. 

When asked what her greatest achievement is, she replied: ”her children”. Eulala was the heart of her family, a cheerleader for each and every member. Her grandchildren adore her. She guided her own life with her strong Christian faith, and was a beacon of grace and light to everyone around her. 

Eulala modeled strength and resilience for us in both small and large heartaches and hardships as she faced her husband's untimely death in 1988, and again when our family home of 50 years burned to the ground in 2005. She has supported family members through all their life crises. Eulala was a tower of strength. 

She is survived by her three children: Rebecca (Keith), Teresa ( Bryan), Timothy (Katie); grandchildren: Jesse (Aimee), Cole (Shannon), Bryer (Natalie), Lydi (Adam), Whitney (Nick), Camden (Rachel), Jake; great grandchildren: Emily (Derek), Addie (Zaden), Owen, Gabe, Keller, Niko, Colbie, Layla, Ryker, Theo, Raith, Zachary; and one great-great grandchild: Benny. Also surviving are her sister Grace (John), brother Bob (Julane), and many nieces, nephews, and friends.