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Loretta Pankow
Loretta Mae Pankow, 99, of Scottville
July 23, 1925 – October 29, 2024
Loretta Mae (Hayward) Pankow went to join her soulmate and husband, Ervine, in heaven on October 29, 2024. Loretta was born on July 23, 1925 to Edmund and Laura Hayward near Scottville. She married the love of her life on June 2, 1945, after his sisters encouraged them to start dating. They spent 66 years together before Ervine’s death in 2011. Loretta and Ervine were blessed with two daughters: Shelley (David) Switzer and Constance (Patrick Mantei, then Guy) Clifton; four grandchildren: Wendy (Paul) Tackett, Ryan (Amy) Switzer, Dominic Clifton, and Jaimie (Alexander) Savor; and six great-grandchildren: Payton and Emerson Switzer, Athena Clifton, and Saylor, Beau, and Callen Savor.
Loretta’s grandfather sparked her interest in education at an early age, eventually leading to her decision to become an elementary teacher. She attended Central Michigan College on scholarship but was persuaded to leave college early because teachers were in such demand during World War II, so Loretta began her 36 year teaching career in Mason County. Loretta returned to school in the summers, earning her teaching certificate and eventually a reading specialist’s certification. She was also the family’s breadwinner while Ervine went back to school to earn his teaching certificate. She taught at Pelton’s School, Victory Township Unit Schools, Marble Schools, Lincoln River Schools, St. John’s Lutheran School, and Mason County Central Schools. Loretta took great pride in teaching her students and was selected as Educator of the Year by the Scottville Optimist Club.
Beyond teaching and family, Loretta loved sewing and crafts, making gifts and cards for family and friends, and teaching craft classes. She was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and a charter member of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Scottville. She served her community by volunteering with organizations including church, the Gideons Auxiliary, The Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, the Mason County Historical Society, White Pine Village, Relay for Life, and the Humane Society.
Preceding Loretta in death, in addition to her parents and husband, were three sons-in-law (Patrick Mantei, David Switzer, and Guy Clifton) and grandson Dominic Clifton. The family will be celebrating Loretta’s 99 years at a private graveside ceremony. Loretta has requested that any memorials be directed to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville, Mason County Central Schools Educational Foundation, and Mason County Historical Society’s White Pine Village.
Arrangements by Palmer Funeral Home – Welsheimer Chapel, South Bend, Ind.
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