Gretchen Good-Pankratz

Gretchen Good-Pankratz of Trumansburg, formerly of Liberal, Kansas, passed away at Cayuga Medical Center on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at the age of 76.

Gretchen was born in Liberal, Kansas on June 21, 1937, daughter of the late Earl and Hortense (Heaton) Good. She attended Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri, and Kansas State University, in Manhattan, Kansas graduating in 1959. Gretchen worked in the medical field as a technician before becoming a stay-at-home mother to her 4 children. She returned to the work force as a medical receptionist. She was a former member of the P.E.O sisterhood in Liberal, KS, and East Lansing, MI. Before becoming an ordained Episcopal Deacon in the late 1980’s serving the Liberal, Goodland, and Garden City, Kansas communities, Gretchen was ordained in the 3rd Order of St. Franciscan’s in the late 1970’s.

Caring and generous to her core, Gretchen volunteered and was a member with many organizations in Michigan and Kansas including; Hospicare, Refuge Resettlement, WEKARE (Western Kansas AIDS Resource and Education) , Principle Voices, a Renaissance Chorale Group in Garden City, Kansas. Also, she spent one year as a novice in the 1st Order of St. Franciscan’s in San Fransico, California where she worked with the deaf community and learned sign language and also ministered to the AIDS community.

Gretchen was an excellent seamstress sewing many different items over the years including the costumes for children’s school plays, and the Renaissance Chorale group. Family and friends enjoyed receiving her handmade gifts throughout the years.

Gretchen is survived by one son, Andrew Earl Pankratz of Okemos, MI; two daughters, Katrina Pankratz (Terry) Haines of Charlotte, MI and Allison Pankratz (Marvin) Pritts of Trumansburg; three grandchildren, Alyssa and Kevin Pritts, and Lance Haines; brother, Gary (Pat) Good of Naples, FL; brother in law, Ed Pittman of Liberal, KS; niece, Julie Pittman Toon of Wichita, KS; nephew, Jim Pittman of Liberal, KS; and many cousins. In addition to her parents, Gretchen was preceded in death by her son, Gregory Pankratz; and her sister Gloria Good Pittman.

A Memorial Service will be scheduled this Spring in Kansas.

The family asks those who would like to make a contribution in Gretchen’s memory to kindly consider Liberal Home Health & Hospice, 502 N Kansas Ave, Liberal, KS 67901, the Able Kids Foundation, 724 Whalers Way, Suite 101, Fort Collins, CO 80525, or the Alzheimer’s Association.