Mary J. (Pankratz) Rank, age 77, rural Two Rivers resident, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 26, 2016 with her family at her side at the Aurora Bay Care Medical Center in Green Bay, following a brief illness. Mary was born May 7, 1938 in Manitowoc, daughter of the late Francis G. and Eleanore M. (Lensmeyer) Pankratz. She graduated from Valders High School with the class of 1957. On September 3, 1960 she married Francis J. Rank at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Whitelaw. Mary worked as a secretary at Imperial Eastman of Manitowoc, and at Hardy-Ryan Abstract Company of Waukesha before starting a family. After her children were born, Mary dedicated her life to raising her family. She was a 4-H Club leader and project leader for many years. Mary was a member of St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, Two Rivers, where she was the Ladies Prayer Line Leader. She was a Eucharistic minister, nursing home visitor, and served on the worship committee at the former Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.Mary enjoyed time spent with the love of her life, Francis, their children and grandchildren, traveling, visiting friends and playing cards. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who looked forward to occasions that brought the entire family together. She was an incredible cook/baker, and will be dearly missed by all.Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Francis Rank; their children and spouses: David of Caledonia (Kim) Rank of Muskego, John (Brenda) Rank of Green Bay, Ellen (Jeff) Platz of Sheboygan, Ann (Michael) Polich of Two Rivers, and Steven (Candi) Rank of Eau Claire; fifteen grandchildren: Lance and Lauren Rank; Emily, Nathan and Natalie Rank; Rachel, Evan and Mariah Platz; Madelyn, Isaiah and Aubrey Polich; Grace, Liam, Lydia and Sophia Rank. She is further survived by one sister & brother-in-law, Judy and Tim Brown of Alabama; and other in-laws which include: Bonnie Durgen of North Carolina, Florence (Louis) Jansky of Appleton, and Darlene Rank of Manitowoc; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Sophia (Marx) Rank; one brother, Norman Pankratz; three brothers-in-law, Ben Rank, Jerome Rank, and David Rank; and one sister-in-law, Germaine Rank.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 30, 2016 at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 3201 Mishicot Rd. Two Rivers. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Maurice Mmegbuadimma, with burial to follow in St. Michael's Cemetery, Whitelaw.

Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter Jan 28 2016