Ratzlaff, Henry A. (1879-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Feb 12 p. 6

Birth date: 1879 Aug 30

text of obituary:

— Henry A. Ratzlaff, a resident of Newton for many years before moving to Goessel, died at the Bethesda Hospital in Goessel Monday afternoon at the age of 79. Funeral services are announced for Thursday afternoon at the Miller Funeral Home in Goessel and the First Mennonite Church of Newton, of which he was a member. Mr. Ratzlaff was employed here as a meat cutter for a number of years. In 1956, due to failing health, he and Mrs. Ratzlaff moved to Goessel where he received care at the Bethesda Home and the hospital. Survivors include his wife, who resides at the Bethesda home; two sons, Dr. A. K. Ratzlaff of Goessel and Dr. Daniel O. Ratzlaff of Cleveland, O.; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Abraham A. and John A. of Buhler; and two sisters, Mrs. Marie Becker of Buhler and Mrs. John H. Epp of Hutchinson.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Feb 26 p. 8

text of obituary:

HENRY A. RATZLAFF

Henry A. Ratzlaff, son of Rev. Abraham and Helena Schmidt Ratzlaff, was born August 30, 1879, in Harvey County, near Buhler, Kansas, and departed this life Feb. 9, 1959. He reached the age of 79 years, five months, and nine days.

He was baptized by Elder Dietrich Gaeddert on May 22, 1899, and received into the fellowship of the Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church near Inman, Kansas.

He was united in marriage to Helen Kliewer on June 10, 1903. To this union were born two sons, Dr. Abraham K. Ratzlaff of Goessel, Kansas, and Dr. Daniel O. Ratzlaff of Cleveland, Ohio. The joys and cares of married life were theirs for a span of 55 years. A particularly high point in their life came when they were privileged to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, at which all the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren could be present.

The parents lived at various places in their married life, including Buhler, homesteading in Western Kansas, Saskatchewan, Canada, and finally settling in Newton, Kansas.

In February 1956 father started having light strokes. About six months later he had a more severe attack so that he could not be cared for at home, and the parents moved to the Home for the Aged in Goessel. From May 1957 on he required hospital attention. He died peacefully on Monday, Feb. 9, 1959, at 2:25 p.m.

He probably will be remembered longest for his interest in people as individuals and for his friendliness and the joy he found in being helpful to them. This showed up in all his contacts — as a member of the welcoming committee of the church at various meetings, casually when passing acquaintances on the street, in business when catering to their wishes and needs, or in the intimate fellowship of his home as a host.

Father leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved widow; two sons and two daughters-in-law; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marie (Mrs. John Becker) of Buhler, Lena (Mrs. John Epp) of Hutchinson; two brothers and their wives, Abraham A. of Buhler, Kansas and Johannes A. of Moundridge, Kansas, and a host of other relatives and friends. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1959 Apr 7 p. 219