Ratzlaff, Erhard (1910-1991)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1991 Aug 23 p. 29

Birth date: 1910 May 20

text of obituary:

ERHARD RATZLAFF

Erhard Ratzlaff of Clearbrook, B.C. passed away June 23. He was born May 20, 1910 to Franz and Anna Ratzlaff in Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland. He accepted Christ at 13 and was baptized in 1927, becoming a member of the MB Church in Wymyschle. He married Hulda Ratzlaff May 25, 1934. During World War II they moved to Gombin, Poland. In 1943 he was conscripted into the German army. The family was reunited in 1945. They immigrated to Acme, Alta. in 1948, where he worked as a farm labourer. They joined Linden (Alta.) MB Church. In 1953 they bought a small farm near Arnold, B.C. and joined Arnold MB Church, where he was treasurer for many years. In 1974 they moved to Clearbrook, joining Clearbrook MB Church, where he was treasurer and church council member. He is remembered as a thoughtful, quiet servant of the Lord who gave wise counsel and encouraged his children from the Word. Hulda died July 1, 1982. He later married Anna Schmidt of Coaldale, Alta. They became deacons. Predeceased by his wife Hulda and 1 daughter, he is mourned by his wife Anna; children Hedy Bartel, Walter and Dorothy Balzer; step daughter Emma Koener; foster daughter Helen Mattis; 11 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren and 4 sisters. The funeral was June 29 in Clearbrook MB Church, with John E. Klassen and John Enns ministering.