Becker, Ruie May Ratzlaff (1899-1972)

Revision as of 14:35, 14 September 2011

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 4 May 1972 p. 2

Birth date: 1899 Apr 24

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 8 Jun 1972 p. 11

text of obituary:

Ruie Ratzlaff Becker, oldest child of John J. and Mary Decker Ratzlaff, was born on April 24, 1899 at Meno, Okla., and lost her life the instant of impact in an automobile accident on Friday morning, April 21, 1972. On April 24 she would would have been 73 years old.

Her education was received at the Cozy Palace rural school, Oklahoma Bible Academy, and Bethel College Academy.

On Pentecost, May 27, 1917 she was baptized at Meno, Okla. by Rev. J. B. Epp. She was a lifelong member of the New Hopedale Mennonite Church.

On Sept. 28, 1919 she was married to Henry J. Becker. A few months later they established their home on a farm on the Alfalfa-Major County line between Helena and Ringwood. Their four children were born at this home.

In August 1948 the family moved to her husband's family home, a mile and a half from their first home. Her mother-in-law continued to live in the home until her passing at the age of 91. Ruie cheerfully helped care for her when it was needed.

Ruie was a Sunday school teacher most of her life and enjoyed serving on committees and often was an officer of the mission society. Especially during the last few years many of her leisure hours were spent preparing for relief. She loved to entertain missionaries and ministers who came to her church. Ruie loved music from childhood as she learned the rudiments of music from her pastor-father, who taught the old-fashioned singing school held regularly on Sunday evenings.

She is survived by her husband, and the following children and grandchildren: Frances and Daniel Ewy and four children of Fresno, Calif.; Phyllis and Arnold Jantzen of Ringwood, Okla., their two married children and two of the home; Paul and Ellen Becker and two children of Riegelsville, Pa.; Janora and Arlin Ratzlaff and three children of Liberal, Kan. and one great-grandchild.

She is also survived by a brother, Walter Ratzlaff of Lehigh, Kan.; and three sisters, Mrs. Sadie Harms of Wichita, Kan., Mrs. Kathryn Blair of Hillsboro, Kan., and Mrs. Esther Schrag of McPherson, Kan. A brother Paul preceded her in death in 1928, also in an auto accident.