Harvey Wallace Pankratz

Harvey Wallace Pankratz, age 89, of Newton, Kansas, passed away August 18, 2024 peacefully at home surrounded by family.

 Harvey was born on October 6, 1934, in Hillsboro, Kansas, son of John D. and Lydia Pankratz. He attended Antioch grade school and Goessel high school.

 He was united in marriage to Evelyn K. Stucky on the hot afternoon of July 20, 1963, at the Elbing Zion Mennonite Church. They enjoyed 56 beautiful years of marriage. Evelyn preceded him in death on November 21, 2019.

 Harvey grew up on the family farm “Behind Goessel”. He served in the Army in Korea 1956-1958. After returning home he worked for Vogts Lumber of Goessel and Harris Lumber of McPherson and Halstead as a contractor while also helping on the family farm. Working as an independent contractor led to building houses and eventually opening Pankratz Interiors in downtown Halstead.

Later he specialized in Kitchen and Bath redesigning and remodeling. He was on the city council and church deacon at Halstead Mennonite church. Once he retired, he moved to Newton and rebuilt on last house. After the loss of Evelyn, he then went to work part time at Excel Industries working in the test lab driving test mowers. His hobbies that occupied his extra time were genealogy, gardening and taking trips to camp and fish.

He is survived by son Everett (Donna) Pankratz of Newton, Kansas, daughter Sheryl Pankratz of Elkhart Indiana. Two step-grandchildren Eric Henderson of Wichita, Kansas and Brad Henderson of Wichita, Kansas.

Harvey is preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, brothers Walter and Ted (Eulala), Erwin (Lydia), Johnny (Beth), sisters Elda (Ross) Van Rossun, Lorena (George) Goossen, Sophie Pankratz Becker, Laura Pankratz.

He will be missed very much! 

Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at Petersen Family Funeral Home in Newton, Kansas. The graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton, Kansas.

Memorials can be made out to Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum and left in care of Petersen Family Funeral Home.