Pankratz, Janice1

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Janice Pankratz
Date Of Birth:May 20, 1957
Date Of Death:April 7, 2012
Service Date:2:00 pm, Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Salina, Kansas
Janice Pankratz

Janice Pankratz, 54, of Salina, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2012 at Hospice of Salina.

Janice was born to Verlon and Ruby (Koegeboehn) Mueller in Herington, Kansas on May 20, 1957.

She graduated from Herington High School in 1975 and went on to graduate from Kansas State University in 1979, Recreation Therapy BS and was a Certified Recreation Therapist.

On October 10, 1981, Janice married Larry Pankratz.

Janice was a Past President of the Kansas Recreation and Parks Association 2006, Therapeutic and Aging Committee and was Awarded Three National Gold Metals from the National Recreation Parks Association.

She became Supervisor of the Special Populations and 50 Plus Programs in 1987, of the Salina Parks and Recreation Department.  Janice made a difference in so many people's lives as she has guided them around the world in the various programs she supervised. 

Janice was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Chancel choir, and various committees.
She was on the Hospice of Salina Board, Girl Scouts board, Noon Network AMBUCS, Saline County Social Services Council, YMCA Board, K-State Alumni and various community committees/councils.

Janice loved helping people, making things for others, traveling, and worked on numerous craft projects.
She is preceded in death by her mother Ruby, father and mother-in-law, Elmer and Lydia Pankratz.
Survivors include her husband, Larry, Salina; daughters,  Bethany Shelly and husband Matt, and grandsons Maxwell and Baron, Las Vegas, Nevada, Natalie Pankratz and fiancé Nick Brooks, and grandson Burton, Salina; father, Verlon Mueller and friend Ruth Smith, Herington; brother, Ray and wife Susan Mueller, nephews, Kris and Jacob, Herington; sister-in-law, Linda (Pankratz) and Dan Wiese, Juneau, Alaska; niece, Lindsay and Jon Ralph, Homer, Alaska, nephews, Jeremy and Alethea Wiese, and Joshua and Stacey Wiese, Boise, Idaho; brother-in-law, Mark Pankratz, Hillsboro; adopted son, Dante Taylor, wife, Stacey, son, Noah, daughter, Skye, Keswick, Virginia

In lieu of flowers please donate to one of the following memorials Trinity United Methodist Building Fund, Hospice of Salina, Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research at KSU, or the National Kidney Foundation.

Friends are invited to call Tuesday, April 10, 2012 from 10 am - 8 pm at Carlson - Geisendorf Funeral Home, Salina with family present from 6 pm - 8 pm.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Salina, with Rev. Barry Dundas officiating.


  • From: Julie Halfmann
    Location:Aurora, Co

    Dear Larry, Bethany, and Natalie, You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sad to hear about Janice and feel terrible that I did not know she was not well. I can't express to you how much you have all meant to me even though we had lost touch. I hope the road through this sad time is softened by the support of all who loved Janice and I most certainly am one of those people. My heartfelt condolences to you, Julie


  • From: Shawn Funk
    Location:Manhattan, KS

    So sorry for your loss. I worked with Janice at Big Lakes. She was there when I started and I had moved to Manhattan from Hillsboro so it was nice to have someone there with a little bit of a connection. I will be keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. Shawn Funk


  • From: Janet Wade
    Location:Herington

    Larry and family - May loving memories of Janice fill your thoughts. I have many good memories of playing, making crafts & doll clothes, riding bikes ALL over Herington, Camp Fire Girls, school plays/musicals (debate, not so much...), the kink in her little finger that complicated playing the flute, and more. Her light will continue to shine. God be with you.


  • From: Paul Lewis
    Location:Dodge City KS

    Larry and family - I'm sadden to hear of your loss. I've known Janice for many years through KRPA and she will be missed in the Association. You will be in our prayers.


  • From: Randi & Diana Clifford
    Location:Dodge City, KS

    Larry and family - We're very sorry to hear of your loss. Janice touched many lives through her work and community involvement, and helped to create some wonderful memories for the folks who took part in her programs. We hope that you will be able to cherish the memories of all that she enjoyed in life during the time you had together. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.


  • From: JoEllen Nordström
    Location:Uppsala, Sweden

    Larry, Bethany and Natalie, We send you our strongest wishes for some peace during this incredibly sad time... Your mother was an amazing woman who opened her heart and home to me many, many years ago. I have been soooooo thankful for this over the years. She was energetic, loving, kind and full of smiles - ALWAYS! That is how we will remember her. And we will keep you in our prayers. I wish I could be there on Wednesday, but I know that the entire community will be there to support you as best as possible. Janice will be remembered with JOY and celebrated with LOVE. She brought so much GOOD into this world. And she lived a life of HOPE. Remember this always. Love, Jo and family


  • From: Marvin and Janis Houdek
    Location:Belleville, KS

    Larry and family, We have such wonderful memories of going on trips with Janice (and even one with you on our bus, Larry). She was such a caring person and I know she is safe in the arms of our Lord now. Bless you all and thanks for sharing her with the rest of us.


  • From: Craig King
    Location:Salina

    Larry, We were SO SORRY to hear of Janice's passing, what a shock. Janice was always such a kind woman with a ready sense of humor and a matching smile. She was one of our favorite people. God Bless you and your family. I love you bud... Craig


  • From: Valerie Page
    Location:Arthritis Foundation, Wichita

    Dear Pankratz Family, how very special Janice was. I will remember her fondly. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with her throughout the years. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.


  • From: Greg Reinert
    Location:Lenexa, KS

    Larry, Bethany, Natalie & Family: It was a shock to hear of Janice's passing today. Janice was a respected professional who will be missed by all in Johnson County, throughout Kansas and around the Nation. On a personal level, Janice was a great personal friend and fellow kidney tranplant recipient. I greatly enjoyed our correspondence and personal visits which would always include an update on the girls and the grandkids. God bless you all during this time of sorrow and loss.


  • From: VERA ROACH
    Location:Salina

    Larry and family, I am so saddened to hear of Janice's death. My prayers are with you. I have fond memories of the trip to Alaska with her and you, Larry.


  • From: Becky Gulzow
    Location:Salina, Kansas

    Larry, Bethany, and Natalie, I just want to let you all know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time. I am so very blessed to have gotten the chance to remember our grade school days with Janice when she was in and out of the hospital these past few months.I was blessed to have tucked her in last Monday night, and let her know my heart was with her. I pray the Lord will bring you all peace, and give you comfort knowing she is with him. May God bless you all thru this sad time~ My Father Calvin Kandt knew the Muller family well, and sends his condolences~ Sincerely, Becky Gulzow


  • From: Kathy Carlin
    Location:Manhattan, KS

    Dear Larry and Family I was so saddened to hear of Janice's death. I worked and shared an office with her for a while at Big Lakes. She was so full of life and energy. Her laughter was contagious. I will always have fond memories of her. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Sincerely, Kathy Carlin


  • From: Marg Glasgow
    Location:Salina,ks

    I will always remember her as a kind,loving person. I never ever heard her complain. She had a special warmth and glow about her.


  • From: Patty @ Tammy Davis
    Location:Salina

    Janice was a wonderful,giving women and will be missed. She had that special touch we will always charish. May the good Lord be with you all, at this difficult time.


  • From: Tammy Shea

    Janice had a very special way of making the special populations parties, dances and activities a treat. Her warm personality and bright smile made everyone feel welcome and appreciated. She will be greatly missed.


  • From: Barb Loader Janssen
    Location:Salina, KS

    Larry and family, my heart goes out to you for the loss of your wonderful wife and friend, Janice. I enjoyed her recently as a positive and helpful supervisor at the Rec Dept. All the classes thought highly of her. I would stop in the office and visit with her and look at her family pictures. We would update each other on what was going on with our families. I also remember our K-state days, and Janice on the back of a motorcycle in her leather outfit, bandana, and big earrings - with a smile. Words are not sufficient but I'm so glad you were blessed with Janice in your life. You and your family have been and will continue to be in our prayers. God bless you all.


  • From: Hank Wiebe
    Location:Hillsboro, KS

    Larry, I was sorry to hear of your loss. I will be thinking of you and praying for you and your family during this difficult time.


  • From: Sara Thompson
    Location:Overland Park,KS

    Janice was always willing to help others, smiled and gave you a hug. She was a respected Park and Recreation Professional and will be missed by all who knew her. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.


  • From: Rolland Winter
    Location:Denver, CO

    Larry, I was sorry to read of your loss of your wife.


  • From: Steve and Mary  Snyder
    Location:Puerto Morelos, Mexico

    Larry, Bethany, and Natalie, we were saddened when we heard Janice had passed away. After working with her for nearly 25 years, I had grown to respect her initiative for creating and implementing a variety of programs to help both seniors (or those of us 50 plus!) and special populations. I always appreciated all of Salina Parks and Recreation program staff's programs, but her's were nationally recognized. She was not only a good employee, but also a good friend. The community will miss her as well as Mary and I. We are sorry we will still be out of the country for her service, but we will be thinking of you and your family. Steve Snyder, Director of Parks and Recreation, 1988-2010.


  • From: Rashell Yockey
    Location:Cheonan, South Korea

    Larry, Bethany and Natalie, I was deeply saddened when I heard of Janice's passing. Her passion for life was contagious, as was her radiant smile. My thoughts and prayers go out for you and your family in this difficult time.


  • From: Randy & Andrea Wetmore
    Location:Marshalltown, IA

    Larry and Family, We wish to express our sincere condolences on the loss of Janice. She was such a vivacious person, she will be greatly missed. Please take care and know that we are sending prayers on her behalf. The Randy Wetmore Family


  • From: loren  houltberg

    Larry, Natalie and family, We are praying for Gods comfort and strength for all of you in the loss of your beloved wife and mother. What a wonderful person Janice is. Loren and Erie Houltberg


  • From: Karis Ratcliff
    Location:Salina Kansas

    Dear Larry, Natalie, and Bethany, Sorry to hear the lose of Janice, she will be greatly miss. She will hold a special place in my heart. I always enjoyed seeing her smile. I also always enjoyed helping her with all her events. She was a wonderful person. Karis Ratcliff


  • From: Randall Holm
    Location:Salina

    Dear Larry, I was surprised and deeply saddened to learn about your loss. Janice's passing is a loss will be felt by the many people that her life effected in a positive manner each and every day.. My prayers and thoughts will be with you and your family during this difficult time. Randall Holm


  • From: Mark Reimer
    Location:Guangzhou, China

    Larry, It was with great sadness to see the passing of your wife, Janice, in the Hillsboro on-line paper. Even though it has been many years since we last saw each other I want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you and family during this time. May you find some peace and solace from many friends to carry you through this loss. Kind Regards, Mark Reimer


  • From: Susan Cantine-Maxson
    Location:Concordia KS

    To the family of Janice: I am the executive director of the Brown Grand Theatre in Concorida KS. Janice often arranged trips for the Salina Park and Rec so that they could attend events at the Brown Grand. We enjoyed working with Janice immensely. We know what a quality program she organized. The many people who accompanied her on trips to the Brown Grand will miss her engaging personality. We, at the Brown Grand, will miss her initiative in bringing groups to events here. We were so sorry to hear of her passing. Our deepest sympathies to your family.


  • From: Frank Mize
    Location:Wichita, KS

    Larry, I am so sorry for your loss. May God keep you in his care. Ray, its been a long time since we played golf together, not to mention being snow bound in Salina. I'm very sorry to hear about your sister. Your family is in our prayers.