Shirley Mae (Schleis) Pankratz, age 94, of Manitowoc, entered eternal life Friday, October 17, 2025, at Shady Lane Nursing Care Center.
She was born December 19, 1930, in Nadeau, Michigan, daughter of the late Albert and Marie (Mleziva) Schleis.
Shirley graduated from Kewaunee High School, Class of 1948. On September 26, 1953, she married Raphael G. Pankratz in West Kewaunee. She was employed by Silver Lake College for 27 years, and after retiring, she worked part-time for 8 years at Roorbach Flowers.
She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Newton. She participated in their volunteer group, the Faith Responders. She was also a volunteer for Head Start and the Heinzen-Ebert-Pankratz (HEP) group for cleaning ditches on Highway 151.
Shirley enjoyed gardening (especially her flower beds); reading; traveling; volunteering; and deeply loved all of nature, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren.
Survivors include four daughters: Mary Ann (Roman) Kosarzycki of Orlando; Jean (Wayne) Vetting of Manitowoc, Jane (Richard) Kirt of Francis Creek, and Nancy Pankratz of Green Bay; two sons: Kevin of Manitowoc and Paul of Manitowoc; eight grandchildren: Brandy Danforth of Denver, Holly (Steven) Borga and Catherine Wedekind of Green Bay, Nicholas (Reena) Kosarzycki of Nashville, Emily (Craig) Stewart of Sheboygan, Rachael (Nick) Osmunson of Mishicot, Brian (Kylie) Kirt of Reedsville, David Pankratz of Albuquerque; and seven great-grandchildren: Caleb Austin, Carter Greene, Emmabelle and Fiona Borga, Henry and Louis Stewart, Boone and Josephine Osmunson, and Wyatt Kirt of Reedsville.
She is survived by two sisters: Darlene Franke of San Francisco, and Donna Gadzinski of Kewaunee. Surviving sisters- and brother-in-law include Delores Schleis of Green Bay, Helen Schleis of Kewaunee, Arlene Newhouse of Whitewater, and Michael (Bette) Pankratz of Houston. Nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends also survive.
She was preceded in death by her husband Raphael Pankratz; son Mark Pankratz; grandson-in-law Jon Danforth; parents; father- and mother-in-law Michael and Catherine Pankratz; brothers Milton (Marilyn), Albert, James, and Daniel Schleis; sisters Blanche (Elton) Kasten, Mary Ann (Jerry) Klaman, and Carol Schleis; brothers- and sister-in-law Marvin (Ione) Pankratz, John Newhouse, and Robert Gadzinski; nieces, Monica Shaulis, Margie Parmenter, Jeanne Sundling, Cecilia and Paula Kasten; and nephews Francis, George, Gregory, and Joseph Kasten.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at St. Thomas the Apostle, 8100 Brunner Road, Newton. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Dave Beaudry. Shirley’s family will greet relatives and friends at St. Thomas the Apostle from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. Shirley will be laid to rest following the service at St. Joseph Cemetery in Manitowoc. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
Special thanks to the caring staff of the Shady Lane Nursing Home, Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital, Sharon S. Richardson Hospice, and the wonderful staff at Felician Village Assisted Living who befriended her and showed her kindness. The family also wishes to acknowledge the professional, compassionate support provided by the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society or St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
