Theodore Lee “Ted” Pankratz, 92, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, died November 17, 2024, in Hester Care Center at Wesley Towers. He was born August 18, 1932, in Van Nuys, CA, to Theodore Roosevelt and Ella Sonora (Unrau) Pankratz.
Ted graduated from Inola High School, Inola, OK, in 1950. After a short time at Bethel College ended by a polio illness he returned home. His love for agriculture and the land was evidenced by the jobs he chose throughout his life. He spent eight years working for John Deere company in the fertilizer division in Pryor, OK which was sold in 1964. Ted then spent time overseeing bulk fertilizer plant construction and a grain terminal in Enid, OK. After managing a large farm and grain elevator in Southeast Kansas, he moved back to Enid to manage the John Deere dealership. While working for the Long Family dealership he bought land and began farming, eventually moving to a full-time farm and livestock operation. Ted was an entrepreneur, evidenced by his last business venture, owning the John Deere dealership in Hutchinson, KS with all the family working together at Pankratz Implement. When he sold it to his son in 1998, he returned to full time farming and harvested his last wheat crop in 2020 at the age of 88. Ted loved to work, to improve his farm and grow his business. When he had free time, it was spent traveling with Marge and friends, collecting antique tools, John Deere memorabilia and grain scales. His commitment was always to care for his family and engage with them in their activities. Despite some health challenges he continued as an avid reader and learner. Ted was truly a steward of not only the land, but of his family. He was a member of Journey Mennonite Church in South Hutchinson.
On November 28, 1952, he married the love of his life, Marjorie Joy “Marge” Springer, in Inola, OK. She was his partner wherever work took them and they raised their family together engaging in church activities and leadership.
Ted is survived by: his wife of almost 72 years, Marge Pankratz; daughter, Linda Barkley (Jim), and Darrell Pankratz (Mary), all of Hutchinson; brothers, Harry Pankratz and Bill Pankratz (Liz), all of Inola, OK; grandchildren, Kyle Ratzlaff (Melisssa), Justin Ratzlaff, Caitlin Peterson (Adam), Reed Pankratz (Annie), and Macki Deck (Dillon); and great-grandchildren, Kade Ratzlaff, Kameron Ratzlaff, Jax Peterson, Brecklyn Peterson, Maci Peterson, Leo Deck, and Millie Deck.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday and 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. Friday, at Elliott Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Journey Mennonite Church, 808 S. Poplar, South Hutchinson, KS. Private family burial will take place in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Ted’s Celebration of Life service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2024, at Journey Mennonite Church in South Hutchinson (Journey@South Hutch).
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Mennonite Central Committee or Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.