Ratzlaff, Elizabeth Warketin (1877-1962)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Jul 19 p. 5

Birth date: 1877 Feb 20

text of obituary:

. . .

• Mrs. Henry J. Ratzlaff, 85, died at the home for aged in Hillsboro on Monday morning. Funeral services were arranged for Wednesday forenoon at the Gnadenau M. B. Church in Hillsboro, with burial in the Springfield Cemetery. Survivors include four daughters, all living in Kansas.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Aug 2 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. HENRY J. RATZLAFF

Mrs. Elizabeth Warkentin Ratzlaff was born to Peter F. and Wilhelmina Wiens Warkentin on Feb. 20, 1877, at Friendensdorf [sic Friedensdorf], South Russia, and departed to her much longed for “eternal home” on July 16, 1962, at 7 a.m., reaching the age of 85 years, four months and 26 days.

At the age of about one year, she came with her parents to America, and in 1890 they settled in Kansas where she spent her youth. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior and often expressed her joy in the assurance of being a child of God. On July 5, 1891, she was baptized by Rev. Jacob J. Klassen at Zoar K. M. B. Church, Inman, Kan. Later she transferred her membership to the Springfield Church where she was active, faithful member, until about a year ago when her membership was transferred to the Gnadenau M. B. Church.

On Jan. 4, 1901 she was married to Henry J. Ratzlaff at the Springfield Church by Rev. Jacob A. Wiebe. They shared life's joys and sorrows for a little over 58 years. Her husband passed away in March of 1959. To this union were born seven daughters and one son. Of these three daughters one passed away in childhood. Recently, two sons-in-law and one great-granddaughter preceded her. Others preceding are her parents, six sisters and two brothers.

In 1951 God permitted them to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary and give praise to God for his love and care through all their joys and sorrows.

She enjoyed taking part in community and church work, especially the quilting that was being done for missions.

When their health failed so they had to leave their home to be cared for, she was admitted to the home for the aged at Hillsboro in June of 1959, and often expressed thanks for the kind care she received there. Her health was constantly failing and she often expressed her wish to go to her heavenly home, where there is no grief of sorrow. Her wish was granted her in a quiet, peaceful manner on Monday morning, July 16.

She leaves to mourn her departure, four daughters, Eva Duncan and her husband Ira of Minneola, Mathilda Willems of McPherson, Elizabeth Franz and her husband Rudolph of Whitewater and Alice Kroeker of Fowler, Kan.; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Henry M. Warkentine [sic Warkentin] and Ben M. Warkentine [sic Warkentin] and his wife Marie of California, and a host of relatives and friends. — The Family.