On the glorious morning of Monday, September 9th, Mary Ann (Embacher) Pongratz answered the call of her Lord and savior, and took His hand as He gently called her home.  She was born in Mankato, MN on October 17th, 1930, the oldest of German immigrants Max and Mary Embacher’s six children.  Being raised during the Great Depression, “waste not, want not” was engrained in every part of her being.  She lead her life in loving service to those around her, always doing her best to be a living example of God’s love and leading others to Him. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Ss. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, 105 N 5th St, Mankato, MN 56001, with the Rosary at 10:30 a.m.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mankato.

Visitation will be Friday afternoon 4-7 p.m. at Woodland Hills Funeral Home in Mankato, with the Rosary at 7 p.m.  Visitation will continue on Saturday morning for one hour prior to services at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.  Arrangements by Woodland Hills Funeral Home of Mankato.  www.woodlandhillsfh.com.

MaryAnn graduated from Good Counsel Academy in 1948 at the age of 17 and worked at Jed Brown Motors as a bookkeeper.  She married the love of her life, Frank J Pongratz, on May 7, 1949.  Together, they built the sturdy house that became home to them and their eleven children. 

Mary Ann worked at HoneyMead in Mankato from May, 1951 until September, 1953.  She took a 21 year leave of absence to raise their family.  She returned and processed payroll for the guys in the soybean processing plant from 1974 - 1994.  In retirement, she loved praying, reading and doing crossword puzzles, and helping her children with anything and everything, but always loved an adventure!  She traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, Florida, New York, Arizona, California, Japan, and a pilgrimage to Europe.  Fishing was a favorite pastime for her and Frank (often with 6 kids in the boat!), and she went many times by herself just fishing off a dock.  She cooked for the seminarians at Ss. Peter and Paul’s Church and was active in several prayer groups and Bible study classes.

Mary Ann will live on joyfully in the memories of her 10 children:  Andy (Terri) Pongratz of St. Peter, MN; Patricia (Leonard) Woodcock of Rochester, MN; Tom (Debb) Pongratz of Yuma, AZ; Lorraine Little of Good Thunder, MN; Bob (Marilyn) Pongratz of Good Thunder, MN; Paul (Sue) Pongratz of Kasson, MN; Mary (Harold) Fischer of Nicollet, MN; Ann (Steve) Garcia of Yuma, AZ; JoAnn (Nic) Matejcek of Owatonna, MN; and Fran (Scott) Kubat of Owatonna, MN, as well as in the hearts of her 42 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren, siblings Maxine Griffin of Mankato, Carl (Linda) Embacher of Mankato, and Richard (Irene) Embacher of New Ulm, MN and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Frank, son Frank Jr, son-in-law Jerry “Koke” Little, grandson, Dustin Pongratz; great-grandson, Isadore Gair, her parents, Max and Mary Embacher, brothers Vince and Bill Embacher, brother-in-law Michael “Spike” Griffin, sisters-in-law Jan Embacher, Eileen Embacher, Dianne Embacher, her mother- and father-in-law, Marie and Andrew Pongratz and all of her Pongratz brothers- and sisters-in-law: Joseph & Frances Pongratz, Caroline & Elmer Uppstrom, Andrew & Stella Pongratz, Frances Hamer, Frederick “Fritz” Pongratz, Catherine & Don Edwards, Henry “Beno” & Sybil Pongratz, Dolly & Harold Owens, Helen & Floyd “Bud” Davis, and Emil & Peg Pongratz.