Service Information
Buffalo Covenant Church
Thursday, October 1, 2008
11

Visitation Information

Mary Jane Pankonie Schubert, a devoted Wife, Mother, Friend, and Christian, was received by our Lord Friday, September 25, 2009 at the age of 82. She was born on October 13, 1926 in Boyertown, Pennsylvania the daughter of Charles & Charlotte “Lottie” Binder. She grew up in Norristown, Pennsylvania. She married Robert H. Pankonie in 1950 and had two children, Barbara and Robert, Jr. The family moved to Minnesota and together they raised their children on a small farm outside of Buffalo until his death in 1967. Mary Jane and the children stayed living on the farm. She later met and married Henry G. Schubert.

Mary Jane enjoyed working with children and teaching them how to be independent. During her employ at the Wright County Developmental Achievement Center, she had the opportunity to work and provide early intervention services for children with special needs. Later, she worked at the Carlson Companies.

Mary Jane cherished her family, friends and God. For it was from these that she gained her strength and wisdom. Mary Jane was raised in the Dutch Reformed Church but when she moved to Minnesota she first went to the Buffalo Presbyterian Church and then the Buffalo Covenant Church. Her favorite Psalm was the 23rd.

Mary Jane was involved in many community and civic organizations throughout the years. She is a former member of Wright County Home Extension Club, Beebe Lake 4-H Club, the Federated Women’s Club, Elder Belles and the Buffalo Goldenaires. She enjoyed getting people together for good times and great food. These times together often included playing cards and board games many times at the Buffalo Senior Center.

Mary Jane always said that “To have a friend, you must first be a friend.” She practiced this philosophy throughout her life and has always surrounded herself and gained great joy from these friendships. Many of these friends have gone on to their eternal rest including Joan Block, Gudrun Otto, and Gudrun Meldal. She will be missed by those friends still living: Lila Bruska, Pat Hopkins, Sandy Walker, Betty Wilkes, Lorraine Steinlitner and many others.

The family wishes to give special recognition, thanks and gratitude to Mary Jane’s friend, Edna Schuster, who tirelessly devoted her time and efforts to care for Mom the past several years.

Mary Jane enjoyed traveling and seeing new places including Europe, Canada, Hawaii, and across the United States. She was a crafter, and many have enjoyed her crocheted and knitted gifts. She enjoyed growing and arranging flowers. She always paid great attention to looking her best and enjoyed wearing hats!

Mary Jane is preceded in death by her husbands Robert H. Pankonie, and Henry G. Schubert, her parents, and sisters Marjory Fritz and Edith Hendricks.

She is survived by her children: Barbara (William) Harding of Richmond, Virginia and Robert (Darlene) Pankonie, Jr of Woodbury, Minnesota. She will be greatly missed by grandchildren: Krista Harding of St. Paul, MN and Mitchel Pankonie of Woodbury, MN, as well as other family members and friends.

Special thanks and gratitude is extended to the staff at Fresenius Medical Care, Buffalo Dialysis for their years of care and support as well as the many staff at Park View Care Center who worked everyday to make her happy. Also to be remembered are her Pastors who guided her faith journey, Pastor Carl Taylor and Pastor Highland Goodman.

The family will be receiving family, friends and neighbors for visitation on Wednesday, September 30th from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, MN. Her funeral will be held on Thursday, October 1, at 11:00 AM beginning with visitation at 10:00 AM at the Buffalo Covenant Church, 1601 Highway 25 N, Buffalo, MN. In honor of Mary Jane, women in attendance are asked to wear their favorite hat! There will be fellowship with family & friends at the church following the service. Memorials received will go to Jane’s favorite charities, Buffalo Food Shelf and Buffalo Covenant Church Benevolent Fund.