Gerald “Jerry” Pantzke
Rice, MN
May 3, 1952-May 17, 2021
Gerald “Jerry” Pantzke died May 17 after a brave battle with cancer. His funeral was held May 22 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 103 CR 2 S., St. Stephen. The Rev. Ronald Weyrens officiated.
Pantzke was born in Little Falls, the second of eight children born to Edwin and Norma (Stoner) Pantzke. He attended District 1229, a one-room school located a short distance from the family farm through seventh grade. At that time, he transferred to Little Falls Public Schools graduating in 1970. He continued his education at Staples Vocational School graduating with a machinist degree in 1973. Pantzke met his wife Kathy (Rutz) in first grade in country school which started as a friendship and developed into a lifelong partnership. They were married June 14, 1975 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, MN. Pantzke’s career began in Minneapolis as a machinist and continued in the St. Cloud area as a mechanic for several establishments, eventually working for Coborn’s. He worked for Coborn’s as a mechanic, maintenance supervisor and project manager for more than 25 years, retiring in 2017. Pantzke’s faith in God was evident in his life. He was a member of St. Stephen Catholic Church where he served as Eucharistic minister, usher, church council member and helped with the church bazaar. Pantzke enjoyed the outdoors, yard work, family time and especially fishing. He also enjoyed making old things “new,” refurbishing vehicles and riding in his prize possession, “Big Blue.” He had a sweet tooth for Milky Ways and Peanut M &M’s, but most of all Dairy Queen. He role-modeled faith in God, hard work, patience, selflessness, respect and love of neighbor always offering to help. Pantzke was a loving husband, father and papa and will be missed by all who knew him. Pantzke was most proud of his children and grandchildren. They brought him much joy, laughter and happiness.
Survivor include the following: his wife Kathleen “Kathy” Pantzke; children: Joshua (Annie) of Des Moines, Washington, Ryan (Carrie) of Sauk Rapids and Kayla (Andy) Herold of Sartell; mother, Norma of Randall; sisters and brothers, Connie (Arvid) Swanson of Moose Lake, John (Vicki) of Estelline, South Dakota, Richard of Little Falls, Tim of New Prague, Linda of Little Falls and Joel (Jeanine) of Randall; grandchildren: Aurora, Victoria, Olivia, Lucy, Benjimin, Dahltyn, Afton and Mackinac; sisters-in-law, Loni and Audrey, both of Randall; special friends, Dave and Diane McClure and their children, and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin; brothers, Steve and Curt; and an infant sister.
Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online: www.williamsdingmann.com.
