Ratzlaff, Peter P. (1869-1936)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1936 Dec 15 p. 13

Birth date: 1869 Oct 3

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1936 Nov 25 p. 5

text of obituary:

LOCAL

. . .

— Rev. and Mrs. J. J. Ratzlaff of Newton returned Monday afternoon from Meno, Okla., where they had attended funeral services for Rev. Ratzlaff's brother, Peter P. Ratzlaff of Meno, who died unexpectedly last week. The funeral was held at the Mennonite church in Meno at two o'clock on Sunday afternoon, with Rev. H. U. Schmidt of the local church in charge. Rev. J. H. Epp of Hillsboro, Kansas, spoke words of comfort in the German language, while Rev. King, of the Enid Methodist church, gave a sermon in the English language. The body of the decease was then laid to rest in the Meno cemetery, at the side of his departed father and mother. Two brothers and four sisters remain and all of them were present for the service on Sunday. Others from Newton who attended were Dr. an Mrs. E. M. Harms and Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Ratzlaff.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1936 Dec 2 p. 6

text of obituary:

Peter P. Ratzlaff

Peter P. Ratzlaff, son of Johann and Katherina (Unruh) Ratzlaff, was born in Franzstal, South Russia, October 3, 1869.

At the age of five, with his parents, he emigrated to America and settled down in McPherson county, Kansas, where he grew to manhood under the Christian influence of his parents and the Christian education of church and school.

He was baptized upon his confession of faith in Christ Jesus as his Savior, on July 25, 1887, with a class of 27 converts, by his father, who was then the acting elder of the Canton Mennonite church, near Moundridge, Kansas.

Soon after this he attended the Halstead Mennonite seminary. After leaving school he went to Shelly, Oklahoma, a mission station where Rev. J. J. Kliewer was the pastor. Shortly after he worked for the government at the Seger colony Indian government school. Here he met his future helpmate, Miss Minnie Johnson, and was married to her on November 29, 1894, Rev. Kleiwer officiating. From Seger he was transferred to Cantonament [sic Cantonment], Oklahoma about 1901 and in 1903 to Shawnee, where he remained until 1909 when with his family he came to Meno, Oklahoma, where he resided until he died on November 18, 1936, at the age of 67 years, one month and 15 days.

Mr. Ratzlaff was always ready to extend a helping hand in church, school or the community when help was needed.

He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Parthenia DeFever, Cherokee; four sons, Rudolph, Ada; Cephas, Ringwood; Charles, Cherokee, and Davis, Meno, and the families of the above named. Besides the above he leaves two brothers, Rev. J. J. of Newton, Kansas and J. C. of Meno; four sisters, Mrs. H. P. Unruh, Mrs. J. J. Johnson, Mrs. J. K. Decker and Mrs. D. B. Unruh, all of Meno; one sister, Mrs. P. C. Wedel preceded him. Since moving to Oklahoma, he was a member of the M. E. church. Before coming to Oklahoma he was affiliated with the Mennonite church.

The funeral was held at the Mennonite church at Meno at two o'clock on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 22, with Rev. H. U. Schmidt of the local church in charge. Rev. J. H. Epp of Hillsboro, Kansas, spoke words of comfort in the German language, while Rev. King of the Enid Methodist church, gave a sermon in the English language. Also Rev. Abr. Ratzlaff assisted in the service. The body of the deceased was then laid to rest in the (New Hopedale) cemetery, at the side of his departed father and mother. Two brothers and four sisters remain and all of them were present for the service on Sunday.