Eric Paul Pankratz, age 17, a St. Nazianz resident, passed away Monday, December 18, 2023 at Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital, Manitowoc.

He was born December 15, 2006, son of Robert Pankratz and Heather (McVeigh) Pankratz. Eric is currently a Junior at Valders High School where he was active in choir, plays, and weight lifting. He was employed as a welder at Case New Holland in St. Nazianz through the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Eric enjoyed riding his four-wheeler, snowmobiling, mountain biking, skiing, or anything else he could do outdoors. He enjoyed camping and making fires, and was a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 918 of Valders. Eric was also a gifted singer, and enjoyed participating in plays and concerts at Valders. He most recently sang the opening solo in "O Holy Night" at the recent Valders High School Christmas concert at the Capitol Civic Centre. Above all, Eric was a caring and generous person to everyone he met.

Eric is survived by his father and step-mother: Robert "Bob" and Jennifer Pankratz; mother: Heather Pankratz; brother: Michael Pankratz (Bianka), and his two children: Kennidy and Oden; brother: Sean Pankratz; Eric's girlfriend: Marissa Nickels and her parents: Shannon and Peter Nickels; paternal grandpa: Pete Pankratz; maternal grandparents: Joan and Michael Brown; step-grandmother: Grace Ott; step-great-grandmother: Lucinda Loose; and aunts and uncles: Char (Roger) Manke, Maureen Skarda (Andy), Terry Pankratz (Lisa), Doreen (Dean) Strouf, Jolene (Tom) Schuh, Scott Pankratz (Katy), Jacque (Mike) Vey, Rick (Carmen) Pankratz, Paul Pankratz, Jean Pankratz (Stuart), Michael Pankratz, Jodi (Doug) Schwalbe, Jessica (David) Jungbluth, James (Noelle) Ott, Jeana (Josh) Hennen, JoAnne (Stacy) Brewer, Paul (Tanaya) Brown, and Leslie (Seth) Robley. Many cousins, other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother: Karen Pankratz; his "pop": James W. Ott; maternal grandfather: John McVeigh as well as other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, 628 North Water Street, Manitowoc. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the Pankratz family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital, Manitowoc, Valders Ambulance, Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department, First Responders, and Manitowoc County Coroner's Office for the care and compassion they have shown to Eric and his family.

Eric will live on through the gift of life by donating his organs and tissue at the time of his passing.