Ratzlaff, Richard Leonhard (1908-1967)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1967 May 05 p. 17

Birth date: 1908 Mar 19

text of obituary:

RICHARD LEONHARD RATZLAFF

Richard Ratzlaff was born March 19, 1908 at Wymyschle, Poland, the son of Leonhard Peter and Anna (nee Wolgemuth) Ratzlaff. He was the fourth child of a family of eight, four of whom predeceased him in death.

In 1922, at the age of 14, he accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour, was baptized at 17, and joined the Wymyschle Mennonite Brethren Church.

The Lord directed his steps to Canada in 1929 where he worked and studied at Dalmeny, Saskatchewan. On April 6, 1931 he was united in marriage to Martha Kliewer. Five children were born to this union, one of whom (Edith) preceeded him in death at the age of five.

In 1954 the family relocated from Acme, Alberta, where they lived for 24 years, to Abbotsford, B.C., and later to Vancouver. Mr. Ratzlaff was happy to serve his Lord in the churches at Linden, Alta., South Abbotsford, B.C. and Fraserview, Vancouver. He served in the capacity of Sunday school superintendent, teacher and member of the church council.

He was admitted to Vancouver General Hospital on April 10 and passed away April 14 as the result of cardiac arrest. He was 59 years and 26 days.

Surviving to mourn his loss are his wife Martha, three sons, Harold of Vancouver, Eric of Clearbrook, and George at home; one daughter, Betty, presently studying at MBBC, Winnipeg; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Harold Ratzlaff, Mrs. Eric Ratzlaff, one future son-in-law, Murray Phillips, and six grandchildren. He also leaves one brother, Erich of Clearbrook, and two sisters, Mrs. Erhard (Hulda) Ratzlaff of Arnold, and Mrs. David (Mary) Ratzlaff of Calgary, Alta. His parents preceeded him in death within two weeks of each other while fleeing from Poland to Germany after World War II, in 1946.