Mrs. Edith M. Pankake, 81, of Litchfield, died on June 12, 1981 at the Emmanuel Home in Litchfield. She had been in failing health for about four years.
           Surviving her are four children, Boyd Pankake of Litchfield, Hess Pankake of Durant, OK, Mrs. Eldred (Martha) Anderson of Hutchinson and Gale Pankake of Charleston, SC; 18 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Scott (Gertrude) Pankake of St. Paul and Mrs. Joseph (Margaret) Geislinger of Watkins.
          Preceding her in death were her parents; three sisters, Mrs. Anna Kaufmann, Sister Marinda O.S.B., Kathrine Ferrick; a brother, Mathew Hess and a daughter, Mrs. Vincent, (Mary Ann) Koenke.
          Edith Mary was born to Mathias and Maggie Hess in Watkins on January 20, 1900. She married Leslie Pankake in Litchfield on January 21, 1918. She had been a chef at the Summerset Country Club in St. Paul and one winter in Key West, Florida. While in Litchfield she had been employed at the Litchfield Woolen Mills and for many years at the Litchfield Produce. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, the Legion Auxiliary and the Sacred Heart Society of St. Philip's Catholic Church.
          Funeral services were held at St. Philip's Church in Litchfield on June 16 with Msgr. John C. Ward officiating.
          Pallbearers were Kenneth Ness, Ervin Smith, Harold Duerr, Wendell Beckstrand, Leo Marquardt and Elmer Schlueter. Interment was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Added May 7, 2004