Helen Pannbacker

Helen Pauline Pannbacker, 93, Washington, Kansas, died March 21, 2015, surrounded by her family in a Lincoln, Neb., hospital. Services were at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 24, at the First Presbyterian Church, Washington. Rev. Marilyn Sweet officiated. Organist was Becky Pannbacker, Martha Mosteller sang “Hymn of Promise” accompanied by Gay Lynn Manning. The congregation sang “Precious Lord Take My Hand.” Pallbearers were Kellen Sherlock, Jake Pannbacker, Jeff Brooker, Jacob Kongs, Tyrone Townsend, Justin Dragastin, Bill Keesecker and Tim Matlack. Posthumous Honorary Pallbearer was Eric Chaput. Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. Helen was born Oct. 25, 1921, in Washington, the youngest child of William and Olive Simon Rosenkranz. She is a 1939 graduate of Washington High School. After graduation she worked at a variety store owned by her brother, Carl, and at the Agriculture Adjustment Act Office (now FSA) in Washington. She married E.J. Pannbacker Jr. on Sept. 6, 1942, in her parent’s home, and moved to their farmstead northeast of Washington where they lived for 38 years. The couple moved into Washington in 1980. They were married for 54 years. Helen was a devoted helpmate to E.J., mother and homemaker. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Emmons Extension Unit and was a 53-year member of Chapter AN of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, all of Washington. She volunteered at the Washington County Historical Society Museum and was committed to the welfare of her community. Helen very much enjoyed her children and grandchildren and their activities, traveling, photography, history, playing cards, cooking, gardening and baking and sharing what she made with others. Her sugar cookies set the standard for many who ate them. She was preceded in death by her husband on Sept 16, 1996; her parents, her sister, Hazel Thompson; her brothers Lourin, Carl, Garold (Bill) and Verlin (Bud) Rosenkranz; a grandson, Eric Chaput; and a great-granddaughter, Lauren Toben. She is survived by her children Beth Pannbacker (Art Chaput), Denver, Colo.; Bill Pannbacker (Chris) and Mary Kay Sherlock (Pete), Washington; grandchildren Jace Chaput Toben (Doug), Rogers, Ark.; Megan Sherlock Brooker (Jeff), Olathe; Kellen Sherlock, Lincoln, Neb.; Caitlin Sherlock Kongs (Jacob), Waterloo, Iowa; Jake Pannbacker, Washington; Molly Pannbacker Townsend (Tyrone), Manhattan, and two great-grandchildren, Emma Helen Brooker, and Troy Toben; and sister-in-law, Valeta Rosenkranz, O’Fallon, Ill. Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington County Historical Society or to the Washington County Hospital Building Fund and can be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home in Washington. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Pannbacker, please visit our flower store.