Ratzlaff, Helena Buller (1874-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Jun 13 p. 8

Birth date: 1874 Feb 25

text of obituary:

HELENA BULLER RATZLAFF

Mrs. Helena Buller Ratzlaff, the daughter of David and Eva Jantz Buller, was born in Niehof, Poland, on Feb. 25, 1874. She was the third child of a family of 13 children and came to America at the age of four years, to the state of Kansas.

At the age of 16 years she was baptized upon the confession of her faith, becoming a member of the Mennonite Church near their home on Dec. 19, 1890. She was married to John H. Ratzlaff on her 17th birthday in 1891. They lived near Canton, Kan., in Marion County, for sometime, but later moved to Oklahoma with their family and lived near Fairview. They also made their home in California for a time, but returned again to Oklahoma.

Deep sorrow came to the family at the passing of our father in 1931. Our mother was widowed just three days after quietly celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Soon after this time she went to live in California and Oregon, with her daughter there. Here also shadows fell upon her pathway in the unexpected passing of her oldest son John in 1941.

To this happy union were born ten children, with two sons passing away in infancy. In the last several years various illnesses took their toll. Nevertheless, she always recovered again and again by God's loving grace and mercy.

After being completely bedfast for two weeks and lovingly cared for by her daughters, she quietly slipped away from our presence to be with the Lord whom she loved and served on May 10, 1963, at the age of 89 years.

Those who remain to cherish her memory are six daughters and one son, Josie (Mrs. Walter Corwin) presently of California, Herman and wife Anna of Fairview, Okla., Helyn (Mrs. Harry Carmen) of Long Beach, Calif., Mary (Mrs. Harold Hale) of Portland, Ore., Anna (Mrs. John Ormond), also of Portland, Esther (Mrs. Curtis Gaddie) of San Bernardino, Calif., and Alma (Mrs. Kenneth Spencer) of Long Beach, Calif.; three brothers, Ben, of Fairview, Okla., David and wife Sarah of Cleo Springs, and Herman and wife Hulda of Orienta; two sisters, Minnie (Mrs. Jake Thiessen) of Rogers, Ark. and Eva (Mrs. John Thomas) of Ringwood, Okla.; 17 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. — The Family.