Ratzlaff, Henry J. (1873-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Mar 26 p. 6

Birth date: 1873 Sep 2

text of obituary:

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— Henry J. Ratzlaff, 85, who came to the United States from Russia in1877, died at Hillsboro on Friday, March 20. For many years the family lived in the Lehigh and Springfield communities, and he was a long-time member in the Springfield K.M.B. Church.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Apr 2 p. 8

text of obituary:

HENRY J. RATZLAFF

Henry J. Ratzlaff, son of Jacob and Eva Voth Ratzlaff, was born in South Russia on Sept. 2, 1873. He quietly and peacefully passed to his eternal reward on March 20 at 12:15 a. m. at Hillsboro, Kansas, having reached the age of 85 years, six months and 24 days.

He came to America with his mother and two sisters in May of 1877 and settled at Mountain Lake, Minn. In 1881 they came to Kansas and lived in the Springfield and Lehigh communities.

He received Christ as his personal Savior, and was baptized and received into the Springfield K. M. B. church on July 25, 1898, where he remained a faithful member to the end.

Before he was three years old his father died, and as a result Henry carried much responsibility at an early age. He received his elementary education at the Springfield school and later found much joy in working with his neighbors and friends and taking part in singing and teaching Sunday School. His greatest desire was to do the will of his Lord and be a Christian example for his family and friends.

On Jan. 4,1901, he was united in holy matrimony with Elizabeth Warkentine. To this union seven daughters and one son were born. Of these, three daughters and one son preceded him in death. His parents and two sisters also preceded him.

He was engaged in farming near Lehigh until 1938, then retired to live at Lehigh until his health failed to the extent that he had to be cared for. In 1951 God permitted him and his companion to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary and give thanks to God for his nearness through all their sorrows and joys. They shared in the marriage relationship for 58 years, two months and 16 days.

Since last fall he had been cared for in the J. J. Priebe home in Hillsboro, Kansas. He leaves to mourn his departure his loving wife Elizabeth; four daughters, Eva Duncan and husband Ira, Mathilda Willems and husband Aaron, Elizabeth Franz and husband Rudolph, Alice Kroeker and husband Henry; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

The understanding counsel and loving kindness which he has so freely given remain for us a rich heritage. We covet for him the rest which he now enjoys and look forward to that great day of reunion with Christ.

Funeral services were held Sunday, March 22, at 1 p. m. in the Goertz Funeral Home in Hillsboro and at 2 p. m. in the Springfield K. M. B. Church, Rev. W. W. Harms officiating. — The Bereaved Family.