Decker, Anna Ratzlaff (1881-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Dec 7 p. 4

Birth date: 1881 Aug 8

text of obituary:

. . .

— Relatives from Newton went to Meno, Oklahoma last Sunday to attend funeral services for Mrs. Julius Decker, 69, who passed away at her home there Wednesday evening, Nov. 29. The services were in charge of Rev. Arnold Epp. Those from here who attended were Rev. and Mrs. J. J. Ratzlaff, Mr. and Mrs. Orval Decker, Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Koehn and Isaac Decker.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Dec 21 p. 6

text of obituary:

MRS. ANNA DECKER

Mrs. Anna Decker, daughter of Elder Johann and Katherina Ratzlaff, was born August 8, 1881, a Moundridge, Kansas. The early years of her life were spent there. At the age of 13 she came to Oklahoma with her parents, traveling six days in covered wagon, arriving here March 6, 1895. They settled on a farm near Meno. She spent the remaining years of her earthly life in this community.

On August 8, 1897, she was baptized upon the confession of her faith by her father, Elder Johann Ratzlaff, and received into the New Hopedale Mennonite church of Meno.

On October 16, 1898, she was united in marriage to Julias [sic Julius] Decker, who preceded her in death on December 8, 1921.

To Bro. and Sister Decker were born five children, all boys: Dewey of Dalhart, Texas, Arthur and Cleo of Meno, Oklahoma, Melvin of Colby, Kansas, and Johannes of Custer, Washington.

Those who remain to share the sorrow of her passing are her five sons and their wives, ten grandchildren, one great grandchild, two brothers, Johann of Newton, Kansas, Jacob of Meno, Oklohama [sic] and two sisters, Caroline and [sic phrase repeated Kansas, Jacob of Meno, Oklahoma] plus a host of relatives and friends. Two sisters, Katherine and Mary and one brother, Peter, preceded her in death.

She remained loyal to God and was a faithful and active member in the church till the end. She found a great satisfaction in being able to serve in both the church and community. She was an active member of the ladies’ aid, and also taught Sunday school at numerous intervals. She found much joy in being able to share with others the material goods with which the Lord had blessed her. On many occasions she would leave her home for months at a time to help needy friends and neighbors, or she would vacate her home to provide housing for teachers and ministers who were in temporary need. All this she sought to do to the glory of God.

In 1927 she suffered a light stroke from which she recovered in June of this year she was again stricken, this time with a seepage which affected her mind. It now became necessary for her to have constant care. For six weeks she was cared for in the home of her son Arthur, then in her own home for four weeks, following which she was taken to a convalesces home in Enid. Here she seemed to be quite content.

On November 20, it was her privilege to once more be together with all five of her sons. On November 23, she fell and broke her hip. She was taken to the hospital immediately and submitted to surgery the following day. From this point on her condition became worse. On November 29, 1950, at 6:15 p. m., at the age of 69 years, three months and 27 days, she quietly and peacefully slipped away to be with her Lord

The Mennonite obituary: 1951 Jan 30 p. 83