Ratzlaff, Wanda Irene Bechtel (1942-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Jul 14 p. 9

Birth date: 1942 Jan 4

text of obituary:

WANDA IRENE RATZLAFF

Wanda Irene Ratzlaff, 66, of Newton, Kan., died June 25, 2008, after a struggle with cancer. She was born Jan. 4, 1942, to Harold A. and Esther I. (Kuehny) Bechtel in Blackwell, Okla.

The family was active in the small farming community of Deer Creek, Okla., and attended Deer Creek Mennonite Church. Her parents encouraged her musical endeavors, and soon she discovered her great talent for music. In high school she became the regular church organist for Deer Creek Mennonite Church.

She was baptized and became a member of Deer Creek Mennonite Church. She attended Bethel College in North Newton and graduated with a degree in music education.

She became the music teacher at Goessel Elementary School. She met Norman Ratzlaff of rural Goessel, and they were married at Deer Creek Mennonite Church on May 29, 1966.

They made their home in Newton and attended Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church of rural Goessel. Norman worked for the railroad, and she was a homemaker and worked at a local specialty shop and as church secretary for First United Methodist Church in Newton.

Her life was filled with spending time with her family and friends, and she loved being with her grandsons. She grew beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Her lifelong passion for music persisted. She was the Alexanderwohl choir organist for many years and accompanied men’s quartets, singing groups, instrumental groups and soloists.

In the spring of 2007, she began her struggle against cancer. Her positive spirit never wavered.

Survivors include her husband, Norman; daughter Donna Hetrick and her husband, Bill; son Rodney Ratzlaff; a sister, Elaine Claassen and her husband, Alvin; a sister-in-law, Sue Bechtel; and two grandsons.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Howard Bechtel.

Services were held at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church.