Ronald J. Pankau

Ronald J. Pankau, 89, of Lake Geneva, WI. died Saturday August 26, 2017 at his home.  Ronald Joseph Pankau was born on May 1, 1928 in Chicago, IL the son of the late Francis and Agnes (Wisniewski) Pankau.  He graduated from Taft High School in Chicago in January of 1946 and then from the University of Illinois School of Pharmacy with the Class of 1951. He served with the U.S. Air Force. On January 28, 1956, in Chicago, IL he was united in marriage to the former Carol Jean Brett. 

He had been co-owner, with his father and brothers, of Pankau Pharmacies in Chicago. He was a former Health Commissioner for Niles, IL. He was a member of the organizing committee to build Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. He was on the adult education committee at St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Park Ridge. He was the founder and first president of the Niles, IL Lions Club and Past President of the Niles Chamber of Commerce. He was a past member of the Knights of Columbus at St. John Brebeuf Parish in Niles.  He was a member of the finance committee at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church in Lake Geneva.

He is survived by: Carol, his wife of 61years, 10 children; Ron (Teri) Pankau of Chicago and Galva, IL, Claudia (Paul) Ericson of Fontana, WI, Brett (Kathy) Pankau of Lombard, IL, Ted (Mary Jo) Pankau of Lake Geneva, WI, Jack (Kathy) Pankau of Bolingbrook, IL, Russell (Marjorie) Pankau of Norridge, IL, Neil (Betsy) Pankau of  Gurnee, IL, Marty (Kelly Hartman) Pankau of Chicago, IL and Williams Bay, WI, Glenn (Katy) Pankau of Winnetka, IL and Carol M. (Ed Thompson) Pankau of Wheeling, IL, 23 grandchildren: Matt; Paul (Ari), Anders, Ellen, and Sonja Ericson; Brett R. (Megan); Jason (Hope); Kevin; Taylor; Erin (Trevor) McEvoy; Lee (Christine); Brooke; Jackie; Cole; Allison; Stella; Olivia; Luke; Jacob; Misha; Zara; Dean; and Amelia, 4 great-grandsons; Isak, and Olin Ericson, Sebastian and Gavin Pankau, bonus grandchildren; Tara Gracer, Ashley, Evan and Cecilia Thompson, sister-in-law Carol Brett and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis A. and Agnes (Wisniewski) Pankau,  sister and brother-in-law Jackie and Ralph Erickson, brothers and sisters-in-law; Elmer (Audrey) Pankau, Warren (Allison) Pankau and Robert (Louise) Pankau, brother in law Jean Brett and his former wife Rita Patka.

Mass of Christian Burial 2:30 p.m. Wednesday August 30, 2017 at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church in Lake Geneva; Father Mark Danczyk will officiate.  Burial will follow in St. Francis deSales Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, in church, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy are memorials are requested in his name to: St. Francis deSales Angel Fund, Side By Side or Geneva Lake Water Safety Patrol.

Derrick Funeral Home in Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting the Pankau family with arrangements.  To sign the on-line guest registry click guest book/condolences  

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