Ratzlaff, Jacob (1892-1966)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Jan 27 p. 5

Birth date: 1892 Apr 2

text of obituary:

. . .

• Jacob Ratzlaff, 73, retired farmer, contractor and carpenter, died here Jan. 21. He was a member of the Newton Bible Church, where the funeral was conducted on Tuesday forenoon. Survivors include his widow, Marie, two daughters and three sons and their families.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Mar 3 p. 8

text of obituary:

JACOB RATZLAFF

Jacob Ratzlaff, seventh child of Peter B. and Aganatha [sic Aganetha] (Fransen) Ratzlaff, was born in Inman, Kan., April 2, 1892. Here he spent his boyhood days. At the age of 16 years he and his family moved to Minneola, Kan. where they became engaged in farming.

Realizing his lost condition and need of his Savior, he made a public confession in the mission church in Minneola in 1912. He was baptized by Rev. George Kliewer on Dec. 12, 1912.

On May 14, 1914, he and Marie Epp were united in marriage by Rev. Wm. Schlichting. In 1915 they moved to Meade, Kan. where they spent many happy years together in farm life. The Lord blessed this home with five children.

Many hardships arose during the depression, and in 1932 the family moved to Whitewater, Kan. to seek a better life. Five years later they moved to Newton and he started doing carpenter work. Since the oldest two sons had already made their homes in Los Angeles, Calif., the rest of the family moved there in 1940. Here they found many Christian friends.

In 1956 he suffered a severe heart attack, which disabled him for six months. With God's help, he was once again able to go back to construction work. He enjoyed good health for the next three years, whereupon he once again had difficulty.

Feeling that life would be easier, they moved back to Newton, Kan. in 1960 to consider retirement. In August of 1963 he was hospitalized due to a severe attack, from which he had only partial recovery. However he was able to again return to carpenter work.

The Lord blessed Jacob and Marie Ratzlaff together for 51 years and eight months, and never failed to meet their needs. After much prayerful consideration, they joined the Newton Bible Church, where he was an active member until death.

On Jan. 21 Jacob Ratzlaff was in the office of the Classen Lumber Co., transacting business when the Lord suddenly called him home.

He will be greatly missed by his widow, Marie Ratzlaff, of the home; three sons, Arnold of Torrance, Calif., Elmer of Sylmar, Calif., and F. Lee of Orange, Calif.; two daughters, Edna of Hesston, Kan., and Martha of El Segundo, Calif.; one brother, John F. of Baldwin Park, Calif.; nine grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

He was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton. — The Family.