Kelly A. Pankratz

Kelly Anne Pankratz, age 55 of rural Saint Peter, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at River's Edge Hospital surrounded by family. 

Funeral service will be at 10:30am on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 at Scandian Grove Lutheran Church, Norseland. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00pm on Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 at the church. For a complete obituary or to leave a condolence visit her obituary at www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com.

Kelly was born April 21, 1967 to Robert and Barbara (Nash) Haakonson in Edina, Minnesota. She graduated from Minnetonka High School in 1985. She studied business and accounting at the University of Minnesota, Duluth for two years before accepting a full-time position at Alliant Techsystems (Honeywell, Inc.). She was united in marriage to Terry Pankratz on March 21, 1992. They lived in rural Saint Peter, where they raised their two children. Kelly was a stay-at-home mom until her kids attended school. She then started working for the Saint Peter Public Schools as a substitute paraprofessional and worked as a health aide at North Intermediate School from 2008 to 2016. She then worked at Scholarship America as a customer service representative until 2021. She was a member of Scandian Grove Lutheran Church where she served on several committees, taught Sunday school, and served as the Sunday School superintendent for many years. Kelly also was a co-leader of the Norseland 4-H Club and avid volunteer during her kids' years in 4-H. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, helping with the family farm, and spending time with family and friends. 

Kelly is survived by her husband, Terry; children: Katelynn (Ben) Beaupre and Cole Pankratz; granddaughter Adelaide Beaupre; parents: Robert and Barbara Haakonson; sisters: Kathryn Collman and Karen (Stacey) Haakonson; mother-in-law: Donna Pankratz; sisters-in-law: Pam Eckberg and Peggy (Craig) Schlumpberger; brother-in-law Rick Malecek; aunts and uncles: Jack and Joan Vesovich, Donovan and Caren Nash; nieces: Sarah (Albert) Reyes, Heidi (Paul) Scheurer, Ashley (Joe) Dolan, and Ann Collman; great-nephew and niece: Braxton Kurth and Aubrey Scheurer; cousins; and many friends. 

Kelly was preceded in death by her grandparents: Ole and Mary Haakonson, Kelley and Phyllis Nash; father-in-law Joe Pankratz, and brother-in-law James Eckberg.

The family is grateful to friends and caregivers that offered love and support throughout Kelly's fight against cancer. Gifts of memorial may be given to your local charity of choice.