LeRoy J. Pancratz (1926-2019)

PANCRATZ, BOYER, DONAHUE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/25/2019 at 15:47:16

LeRoy J. Pancratz, 92, of Dubuque, Iowa formerly of Zwingle passed away on August 24th, 2019 at MercyOne Medical Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 28th, 2019 at the Church of the Nativity, with Msgr. James Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Sylvia Switch. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a wake service will be at 3:00 p.m.

LeRoy was born on December 12th, 1926 in Zwingle, Iowa the son of Leo and Elizabeth (Boyer) Pancratz. He married Inez Donahue on September 28, 1949 at Assumption Church, Sylvia Switch in Zwingle. He was very devoted to Inez for over 70 years as a husband and caregiver. LeRoy started farming at the age of 16 when his father died. He was very proud of his registered Golden Guernsey milking cows and he continued farming until his retirement. LeRoy was a humble and extremely hard-working man and had a great work ethic that he instilled in his family along with a strong faith. He also worked as an independent milk hauler, and at the foundry's of A.Y. McDonald and East Dubuque. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus La Motte/Key West Council. He was also the leader and long-time member of the 4-H Washington Senators and was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife Inez; six children: Mary Jo (Wayne Beecher) Pancratz, Joyce (Richard) Veach, Tim (Mary Kay) Pancratz, Judy (Craig) Wurdinger, and Peggy (Dennis) Denlinger. Seventeen grandchildren: Amberai, Luke, Tyler, Melanie, Wes, Danny, Elizabeth, Molly, Arianne, Brett, Anna, Kelly, Ben, Jenna, Becca, Rachel, and Sam. Thirteen great grandchildren; and his sister Lillian Kies along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son Leo; two brothers, Kenneth (Monica) Pancratz, and Charles (Dorothy) Pancratz; four sisters, Bernice (Henry) Schuster, Elizabeth (Sylvester) Ambrosy, Vivian (John) Hingtgen, Theresa (Clarence) Thole and a brother-in-law Karl Kies.

A LeRoy Pancratz memorial fund will be established. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Bethany Home for all their wonderful care and kindness.
Dubuque Telegraph Herald, August 25, 2019.