JoAnne Pankratz
JoAnne Pankratz
JoAnne Pankratz
JoAnne Pankratz
JoAnne Pankratz
JoAnne Pankratz

Obituary of JoAnne Pankratz

JoAnne Pankratz, 84, of San Diego, California, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2018. She was at home with her beloved husband of 64 years, Walt. JoAnne was born in Fort Worth, Texas to Robert George “Bob” and Helen Viola “Vi” Walker on January 14, 1934. The family moved to Chicago when she was still an infant and then to Fort Dodge, Iowa when she was 9 years old. It was at the age of 16 that JoAnne realized how Christ died for our sins and gave her life to him. She graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1952 and then went to college at Ottawa University, where she met her husband Walt. The two were married on June 12, 1954. Walt was commissioned into the US Navy and after flight training they were stationed in Barbers Point, Hawaii, where their daughter Laura was born. After completion of military service the family moved to Alhambra, California where their son Mark was born. In 1962 they returned to Ottawa, Kansas where Walt served as Business Manager for the university for 18 years and JoAnne returned to school to finish her degree in psychology. Their daughter Spring was born in Ottawa and Jo began a successful career in real estate, however it was a dream come true when the opportunity to move to San Diego came up in 1981. Walt and Jo became members of the First Baptist Church and were active in Sunday school, choir, and both served on the church board. They enjoyed annual trips to Hawaii and frequent visits to Ottawa to celebrate class reunions. Always the consummate hostess, Jo threw many parties and dinners for friends and family at her home. Over the past 33 years they saw all three adult children happily married and welcomed 6 grandchildren. JoAnne was preceeded in death by her daughter-in-law Harriet Pankratz. She is survived by her husband Walt; daughter and son-in-law Laura and Jeff Ambrose of San Diego; son Mark and partner Peg of Ashburn, Virginia; daughter and son-in-law Spring and McClellan Plihcik of Matthews, North Carolina; granddaughters Ashley Pankratz of Ashburn, Virginia; Heidi Pankratz of San Diego; Danica Plihcik of Matthews, North Carolina; and grandsons Brett Ambrose of Torrance, California; Cole Ambrose of San Luis Obispo, California; and Brian Plihcik of Matthews, North Carolina. A memorial service and reception are planned for September 22, 2018 at the First Baptist Church of San Diego with Pastor Scott Furrow officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ottawa University’s DeFries Society for the Performing Arts using the link below: https://secure2.convio.net/ouni/site/Donation2?df_id=1699&1699.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T Or to the Scripps Health Foundation: https://secure.entango.com/donate/ScrippsHealth
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