Ratzlaff, Jacob D. (1885-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Aug 22 p. 8

Birth date: 1885 Jul 15

text of obituary:

J. D. RATZLAFF

Jacob D. Ratzlaff was born July 15, 1885 at Marion, Kan. to David P. and Agnes Ratzlaff. His early life was spent in Kansas and Oklahoma where he received his education.

He was converted at 17 years of age at North Fairview, Okla. and was baptized by Rev. D. S. Eitzen in April 1903.

On June 9, 1906 he was joined in holy matrimony with Sarah F. Duerksen, who was a faithful companion for 53 years in farming ventures as well as a helpmeet in Christian leadership. He served for more than 35 years as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, and for a number of years as leader of the Rosedale, Calif. Mennonite Brethren Church where both he and his wife were charter members and were honored with life membership. His active yeast were spent in Rosedale, Shafter, Kerman, and Reedley, Calif., and upon his retirement in February of 1959 they moved to Shafter, Calif.

Special and favorite Scripture passages included the Sermon on the Mount, the Psalms, and the Beatitudes, which comforted him in times of sorrow during the passing of his wife, Sarah, two sons, one daughter, one granddaughter, one grandson, and one son-in-law. “Keiner wird zu schanden” was his favorite song, and gave him strength to witness for his Lord. He was always ready and willing to help where needed.

After his wife Sarah's death on March 25, 1950, he continued to live in Shafter. After almost two years of loneliness, he married Elizabeth Regier on August 7, 1951 in Reedley, Calif. they joined the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church on Oct. 8, 1961.

He has been ill for some time and spent the last four weeks in bed under doctor's care. He went to meet his Lord calmly on June 11, 1963 at his home.

Surviving beside his widow are his son Herbert and wife Adina of Fresno; four daughters, Nettie Auernheimer and husband Ora of Reedley, Bertha Flaming and husband Ernest of Reedley, Mary Neufeld of Shafter, Hulda Edna Haag and husband William of Bakersfield; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Henry and Cornelius Ratzlaff of Shafter; two sisters, Martha Penner of Balo, Okla. and Lydia Gertz of Reedley, and a host of other relatives and friends.