Ratzlaff, Anna Schroeder (1886-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jun 18 p. 6

Birth date: 1886 Sep 21

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. Jacob S. Ratzlafff, 66, of Buhler passed away at the Bethel Deaconess hospital Tuesday morning after being a patient there since May 28. She was a member of the Buhler Mennonite Brethren church.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jul 2 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. J. S. RATZLAFF

Our beloved wife and mother Anna (Schroeder) Ratzlaff, was born to Abraham and Helena (Dick) Schroeder in Reno county Kansas, September 21, 1886. She spent her childhood and youth in the vicinity of Buhler, and also received her elementary education there.

In her youth she felt her lost condition before God and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour, being baptized upon the confession of her faith and received into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren church or August 20, 1903. To this church she sought to be a faithful member until her recent home-going. In her desire to serve the Lord she was active in the sewing circle, contributing to its progress whenever she could.

She was married to Jacob S. Ratzlaff on October 6, 1906, and they established their home in Buhler, Kansas, where they have resided since. This union was blessed with three children: Eldo, Clarence, and Ruby. God permitted them to share the blessings of a happy family life for 46 years, eight months, and 11 days. To her immediate family she has always been a loving wife and devoted mother, caring for their needs with sacrifice and service. She also had great delight in her grandchildren, giving them freely of her love and assistance whenever possible. Her prayers to the last were in behalf of her family that all might be reunited in heaven with her.

Her life of prayer has impressed the family deeply, and we recognize the influence which has come into our lives as she constantly prayed for us and sought God’s face in our behalf for a consistent walk before God. Mother was fond of the Word of God, being especially attracted to Psalm 103:1-5. She found inspiration in verse 2, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” This devotion of her heart to the Lord Jesus Christ shall remain with us a rich heritage and sacred memory as we think of her life and labors of love for us.

She enjoyed good health throughout most of her life, never having serious sicknesses. For sometime in the latter years she suffered from an eye condition, and about two years ago she had a fall which resulted in physical disturbances. In February of this year she contracted a fungus growth in her lungs which cause much discomfort and suffering though at times she seemed to rally under the able and kind efforts of attending physicians. The Lord had, however, ordained that she be relieved of all physical ills and hardships, and called her to her heavenly reward on June 17, 8:45 a.m., at the Bethel hospital in Newton, Kansas. She attained to the age of 66 years, nine months, and 21 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure: her bereaved husband, Jacob S. Ratzlaff; two sons Eldo Ratzlaff and wife of Joes, Colo., and Clarence Ratzlaff and wife of New Orleans, Louisiana; on daughter Ruby, Mrs. Eldo Nachtigal and husband of Buhler; seven grandchildren; two brother Abe A. Schroeder and Frank Schroeder, Buhler; four sisters Lena, Mrs. J. W. Siemens, Katie, Mrs. A. M. Esau, Marie, Mrs. F. W. Siemens, Selma, Mrs. M. M. Esau, all of Buhler, and many other relatives and a host of friends.

Though our hearts feel deeply the pain of parting, and we cannot express in words how much we will miss her, we are yet comforted with the assurance that she has overcome and has entered into her reward evermore to be in the light of the presence of the Son of God and in her eternal Home. Our prayers join hers for a reunion over there, before the Throne, where, together with her we shall praise Him who meant so much to her. — The Bereaved Family.