Ratzlaff, Vernon Paul (1925-2006)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2006 Jul 10 p. 8

Birth date: 1925

text of obituary:

VERNON RATZLAFF

Vernon Paul Ratzlaff, 81, of Flagstaff, Ariz., died May 26, 2006.

He was born in Mountain Lake, Minn. Growing up in a Mennonite farming community, his first language was Low German. After graduating from Goshen (Ind.) College, he married Bonnie Lou Sommers from Indiana.

He was an educator who taught elementary and junior high in Minnesota, Missouri and in Arizona at Hopi Mission School, Tuba City Public School and in Cameron. He developed alternative teaching methods for underachieving students.

He loved music and played the trombone. His first job was as a cook in a small restaurant, and he carried those cooking skills throughout his life. He loved to make soup and bread for family gatherings. Another passion was to travel, and he often used family travel time as learning experiences. He was a talented artist, collector and flower arranger.

As a conscientious objector, he served in alternative service by building a dam in South Dakota and as an orderly in a mental hospital in Pennsylvania. He loved Christ dearly and enjoyed singing in church choirs.

Survivors include his spouse of 50 years, Bonnie; four children, Paul and his wife, Vicki, Jay and his wife, Cheryl, Peter and his wife, Michelle, and Gwen; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother and two stepsisters.

Memorial services were held at Norvel Owens Mortuary Chapel.