Evelyn Lucille “Evie” Pankratz Doerksen, 94, of Buhler, Kansas, passed away Monday, February 6, 2023 at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community. She was born May 24, 1928 in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of Isaac D. and Marie (Janzen) Dirks.
She attended Willow Grove school from 1st to 8th grade. Evelyn graduated from Buhler High School on her 18th birthday, with the class of 1946.
Evelyn was baptized on July 18, 1943. She became a member of the Buhler Mennonite Church on September 21, 1958. Evelyn later transferred her membership to Bethel Mennonite Church in Inman on May 27, 1990. She later returned to Buhler Mennonite Church in August of 2013.
She was united in marriage to John G. Pankratz on September 10, 1947. From this union they had seven children. John passed away on September 19, 1984.
Evelyn later married Martin E. Doerksen on July 8, 1989. He preceded her in death on June 16, 2010.
Evelyn started working at the drug store at the age of 14. She returned to work in 1962 at the Buhler Market where she worked as a sales associate. Evelyn retired in 1995.
She is survived by her children, Jim (Anne) Pankratz, Eileen (Ray) Sonnedecker, Mary Doerksen, Ann Thompson, Steven Pankratz, and Jeanette (Pat) Gorrell; stepson, Brian (Teresa) Doerksen; 17 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren, plus one on the way; one great-great-grandson; sister, Frances Pauls; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; 1st husband, John G. Pankratz; 2nd husband, Martin E. Doerksen; stillborn son, Douglas Kent Pankratz; three brothers, Victor, Harvey and Richard Dirks; and son-in-law, Calvin Doerksen.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, February 10, 2023 at Buhler Mennonite Church. Burial will follow at Buhler Municipal Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, February 9, at Buhler Mortuary, with family present from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Buhler Mennonite Church in care of Buhler Mortuary, PO Box 589, Buhler, KS 67522.