Ratzlaff, Julia Decker (1880-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Sep 1 p. 5

Birth date: 1880 May 8

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held at Lamar, Colo. on Monday for Mrs. P. P. Ratzlaff, 69, a former resident of Moundridge who passed away at Lamar last Saturday after several years of ill health. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Decker and Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Decker of Newton went to Lamar for the funeral, the men being brothers of Mrs. Ratzlaff. A sister, Mrs. J. J. Ratzlaff, also resides in Newton.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Sep 15 p. 6

text of obituary:

MRS. JULIA RATZLAFF

Julia Decker nee Ratzlaff was born at McPherson, Kans. to John and Elizabeth Decker, May 8, 1880. She grew to young womanhood in McPherson county and at the age of 17 joined the Mennonite church. At the age of 19 she was united in holy wedlock to P. P. Ratzlaff of that same community. They enjoyed 50 years, one month and 25 days of wedded life together.

They came to Colorado in 1926, settling in Lamar where she joined the Foursquare church as a charter member and remained a faithful member, wife and mother, never faltering in her faith and showing her steadfastness in illness.

Mrs. Ratzlaff departed this life at the age of 69 years, two months and 19 days. In passing she leaves her husband, P. P. Ratzlaff; six sons, Irvin, Roy, Frank and Albert of Lamar, Clarence of Wiley and William of Moline, Kans.; two daughters, Ida Werschke of Loveland and Alma Ratzlaff of Enid, Okla.

She is also survived by 25 grandchildren and one great grandchild; six brothers, Tobe, Isaac, Jake, Ludwig, Dave and Jonas Decker, and two sisters, Mary Ratzlaff and Anna Wedel: two half-sisters, Lizzie Hodel and Lena Miscke, and one half-brother, Ben Decker of Enid, Okla. Also a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ratzlaff were held from the Foursquare church, Lamar, Monday afternoon, Aug. 29, at 2:30 with Rev. Fred G. Collins officiating. There was a very large attendance and a beautiful floral offering.

Mrs. Bert Cox, Mrs. Fred G. Collins, Mrs. Larrane Haggard and Miss Dorothy Collins accompanied by Mrs. Harry Helm at the piano sang, “I Am Thine Oh Lord" "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be" and "Safe In The Arms of Jesus." Interment was in Fairmount cemetery