Ruth, Edna Margaret Ratzlaff (1919-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Aug 13 p. 8

Birth date: 1919 Jul 6

text of obituary:

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— Funeral services for Mrs. Edna Ruth, 51, wife of Clifford Ruth of rural Hesston, were held Saturday forenoon at the Foursquare Church in Newton. Mrs. Ruth died Aug. 4 at the Bethesda Hospital in Goessel after an extended illness. Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter, Mary Leann, and a son, Walter, both of the home; her mother, Mrs. Jacob (Marie) Ratzlaff of Newton; one sister, Mrs. Grant Rasdall of El Segunda, Calif.; and three brothers, Arnold E. Ratzlaff of Torrance, Calif., Elmer E. Ratzlaff of Sylmar, Calif., and Foster Lee Ratzlaff of Orange, Calif.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Sep 24 p. 11

text of obituary:

EDNA MARGARET RUTH

Edna Margaret Ruth was born July 6, 1919 to Jacob and Marie Ratzlaff in Mead, Kan. She passed away Aug. 4, 1970 at the age of 51 years and 27 days.

A quiet, happy child, Edna spent her childhood on a farm southwest of Meade. At the age of ten, while the family was attending the Nazarene Church in Meade, Edna confessed her need for Christ as her Saviour. She had spent a Sunday afternoon with dear friends who pointed her to the way of salvation. During the evening service at the church she did not wait for the altar call, but testified that she had accepted Christ as her personal Saviour. From this time she often expressed her desire to be baptized in water.

The family moved to Whitewater, Kan. in 1932, and Edna, her sister Martha and her parents were received into fellowship of the Missionary Church of Elbing. On Sept. 22, 1935, Edna and Martha were baptized in Sand Creek in Newton by their pastor, Rev. A. A Schmidt.

Edna received her early education in Meade County schools, and for economic reasons chose to work and help with family needs at home. Shortly after the family moved to Whitewater, she realized the need to help her Grandmother Epp who was ill. It seemed that through this experience she developed a love to care for sick and elderly people, which she has done through much of her lifetime. She was never too busy to go to the aid of others.

In 1937 Edna joined the First Foursquare Church of Newton, and through the years remained true to her Lord and has faithfully served her church. Even during her recent illness she desired to take a month’s stint as custodian when there was a need.

Recently, her love for the Lord had grown stronger daily as she yearned to leave this “earthly house,” and she rejoiced constantly in her hope in Christ. Just three days before her death, she expressed the thought to her mother that she would be the first to be reunited with her father who passed away in 1966.

Edna and Clifford H. Ruth were married in McPherson, Kan. on April 22, 1939. One daughter, Mary Leann, and two sons, David Henry and Walter Jay, were born to this union. David passed away at birth. The family home is on a farm near Hesston.

Edna spent her married life in the Newton area, serving her community and friends loyally. She was a devoted wife and mother. She passed away in the Bethesda Hospital at Goessel after a long illness.

Edna will be greatly missed by her husband, Clifford; her daughter, Mary Leann; her son Walter Jay; her mother Marie Ratzlaff; three brothers and one sister, Arnold, Elmer, Lee and Martha, all of Southern California; a host of relatives and friends; her church and her pastors.

Funeral services were held in the Foursquare Church, Newton, at 10 a.m. on Aug. 8, with Rev. Charles Strawn, the pastor, officiating. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton.