Ratzlaff, Mary C. Becker (1879-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 May 15 p. 3

Birth date: 1879 Nov 16

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held May 7 at Meno, Okla. for Mrs. J. C. Ratzlaff, mother of Rev. Harold Ratzlaff, General Conference missionary to India. The Ratzlaffs are now on furlough and plan to return to India in June.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jun 12 p. 8

MRS. MARY C. RATZLAFF

Mrs. Mary Becker Ratzlaff, daughter of Andrew B. Becker and Carolyn Richert Becker, was born at Moundridge, Kansas on Nov. 16, 1879. She departed this life peacefully, after a lingering illness, on Sunday evening, May 4, 1958, at the age of 78 years, five months and 18 days.

Her early childhood years were spent in Kansas. Her education consisted of rural school and attendance at the academy at Bethel College. She came to Oklahoma as a school teacher around the turn of the century, teaching school here for some time.

Having been reared in a Christian home she united with the Church at an early age. She was baptized upon the confession of her faith and received into the Canton Mennonite church at Canton, Kansas, later transferring her membership to the New Hopedale Mennonite Church at Meno, Okla.

On Feb. 24, 1901, she was united in marriage to Jacob C. Ratzlaff in the Canton Mennonite church. To this union three daughters and four sons were born. Two children, Alvina and Victor, and one grandchild, Harold Gene Ratzlaff, preceded her in death in infancy. In 1951 our parents were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

The early days in Oklahoma were days of true pioneering. The first years of their married life were spent on the farm. About 44 years ago they moved to the location from which the Lord called her to her heavenly home.

Mother was always active in church and community life as long as health permitted. She served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. She took great interest in the work of the Oklahoma Bible Academy. For two

The Mennonite obituary: 1958 Jun 17 p. 383