Loewen, Lena Ratzlaff (1892-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Sep 13 p. 8

Birth date: 1892 Dec 19

text of obituary:

MRS. LENA LOEWEN

Our loving wife and mother Lena Ratzlaff Loewen, daughter of John J. and Elizabeth Buller Ratzlaff, was born near Marion, S. D. on Dec. 19, 1892.

She spent her childhood and early youth in the Marion-Freeman community and attended the Silver Lake M. B. church. In the spring of 1934 mother accepted Christ as her Savior and Master.

She was married to Jacob C. Loewen on Oct. 16, 1913, at the age of 20, and they lived in wedded life for over 42 years.

They resided on a farm near Dolton for three years after which they moved to a farm near Richey, Mont. In 1949 they moved back to Dolton where they resided for five years. In 1954 they moved to Sioux Falls.

Mother suffered from a nervous condition in 1934 and had been an invalid since that time, being bedfast for the past ten yers [sic].

Due to the failing health of her husband who was no longer able to care for her, she was taken to a nursing home on July 14, 1956. Even though she was not able to respond verbally, she was always glad when some one came to see her.

She was called to her eternal home on August 14 at 12:05 p.m. in the Logelin nursing home in Sioux Falls, at the age of 63 years, seven months and 14 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, six daughters, Esther, Mrs. Simon Tieszen, of Richey, Mont., Susie of Sioux Falls, Ella, Mrs. Rueben Maier, Sidney, Mont., Ida, Mrs. Edward Gerisma [Gertsema?], Rock Rapids, Iowa, Helen, Mrs. Donald Warkenthien [Warkentin?], Willow Lake, and Janice, Sioux Falls; three sons, Albert of Marion, John and Cornelius, Sioux Falls; eight grandchildren; three brothers, Henry Ratzlaff of Dolton, S. D., Ben and Pete Ratzlaff of Freeman, S. D.; three sisters Mrs. Alex Deckert of Marion, Mrs. Jake Fast of Freeman, and Kathryn Ratzlaff of Sioux Falls; and a host of relatives and friends.

She was laid to rest at the Schartner Mennonite cemetery.

Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were: Mrs. Simon Tieszen, Richey, Mont., Mrs. Rueben Marie, Sidney, Mont., and the Isaac Adrian family, Mt. Lake, Minn. A group of nurses from the McKennan Hospital School of Nursing attended the services in honor of their classmate, Janice Loewen.

Funeral services were held August 17, 1956, at the M. B. church with Rev. Eldo Ratzlaff, Rev. Wm. Dirks of Sioux Falls and Rev. J. j. Adrian officiating.

A mixed quartet consisting of Mr. Abe Olfert, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Deckert and Mrs. Ferd Thomas sang several selections.