Ratzlaff, Margaret Wiens (1900-1968)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1968 Sep 19 p. 8

Birth date: 1900 Feb 28

text of obituary:

. . .

• Two residents of the Buhler community died unexpectedly last Sunday. Ed. J Schmidt, 65, a retired farmer, died at Grace Hospital in Hutchinson. The funeral was conducted Wednesday forenoon at the Buhler M. B. Church, with Rev. H. R. Wiens in charge. Mrs. Abe H. (Margaret) Ratzlaff, 68, died at Leadville, Colo. after a brief illness. Her funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at the Bethel Mennonite Church near Inman, with Rev. Paul Isaak and Rev. T. A. van der Smissen in charge.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1968 Nov 14 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. ABRAHAM H. RATZLAFF

Mrs. Margaret Wiens Ratzlaff was born on Feb. 28, 1900, at Inman, Kan. to Jacob H. and Katharina Doerksen Wiens. She attended elementary school at Wolf Creek School near Inman.

On May 13, 1917, she was baptized by Elder Klaas Kroeker and received into the Bethel Mennonite Church, Inman. Except for a period from 1923 to 1937, when after her marriage she belonged to the Hoffnungsau Church, she remained an active and faithful member of the Bethel Church until her death.

On Nov. 15, 1923, she was married to Abraham H. Ratzlaff. They were privileged to live together almost 45 years, residing in the Buhler community during all these years. Four children were born to this union.

This summer it was her desire to visit a son, Abie, who has a teaching position at Leadville, Colo. this desire was fulfilled on Sept. 14, 1968 when she and her husband took the train to Colorado. That night she passed away unexpectedly in her sleep at Abie's home.

Mrs. Ratzlaff in her quiet way took part in various activities. When her mother died during the flu epidemic of 1918 she was the oldest one at home and had to take over the care of the younger children in the home. Another difficult time in her life was following the death of her son, Melvin Wayne, in 1936.

She was active in the church, attending Sunday school and worship services regularly. She always looked forward to attending the Charity Society work day. One of the recent highlights in her life was the opportunity to attend the wedding of her oldest granddaughter this past June at Kismet, Kan. She loved her family and had a great concern for them.

Surviving her passing are her husband, Abraham; one daughter, LaVera and husband Richard Dirks of Kismet, Kan.; two sons, Arnold and wife Betty of Buhler, Kan. and Abie of Leadville, Colo.; four grandchildren; six sisters, Maria and husband Dietrich Friesen, Lena, Mrs. P. T. Neufeld, Anna, Elizabeth, Susan and husband Aaron Toews, and Justina and husband Jacob A. Pauls; one brother, Jacob Wiens; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Martin Wiens and Mrs. H. D. Wiens.

Going on before her in death were a son, Melvin, her parents, two sisters and four brothers.

The Mennonite obituary: 1968 Oct 22 p. 656