Michael Mark Pankratz, of Gunnison, Colorado, died peacefully in his home on Oct. 28, 2024 in the care of his wife and sons. He was 73.
He was born May 24, 1951 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Robert and Dorothy Pankratz. He lived the majority of his life in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and the surrounding area. Most of his career involved making and moving. He worked in several manufacturing roles, and did a brief stint as a long-haul truck driver. Shortly after retiring, he and his wife, Carmen, followed their children and grandchildren to Colorado.
Lovingly known to family and friends as “Mackel,” his sense of humor was infectious. Even in his last days he continued cracking jokes. Kids loved him and were drawn to him, especially his grandchildren. He was a man of wide-ranging and varied interests. At various times he explored skydiving, canoe racing, skiing, guitar, clawhammer banjo, sailing, woodworking, fly fishing, and more.
An accomplished high school pitcher, he was a lifelong baseball fan and he loved the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers. He always enjoyed the outdoors, taking his family on many camping trips throughout the Midwest and beyond — including a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park that would sow the seeds for both of his children to eventually move to Colorado. He was a great student of music of many genres, from the classic rock of his youth to blues and bluegrass, and he introduced his friends and family to new artists throughout his life.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carmen (Wagner) Pankratz; sons Derek (Heidi) and Sam (Jenny); grandchildren Rose, Adelaide and Leopold; sister Bonnie Horner; brothers Greg Pankratz, Pat Pankratz, Peter Pankratz, Paul Pankratz, and Daniel Pankratz; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration and commemoration of Mike’s life will be held for friends and family at Palisades Restaurant in Gunnison on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. A Requiem Mass and dinner will be held at St. Gregory Catholic Church in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin on Friday, Nov. 29 at 11 a.m.
