Walter, Kathryn Ratzlaff (1876-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jan 19 p. 8

Birth date: 1876 Sep 14

text of obituary:

MRS. JOSEPH F. WALTER

Our beloved wife and mother, Kathryn, daughter of Abraham and Anna Ratzlaff (nee Teske), was born Sept. 14, 1876, on a farm six miles northeast of Freeman, S. D. She died at 2:00 p.m. on Dec. 28, 1955, in the Methodist Hospital at Mitchell.

In her youth she received only a limited elementary education due to the hardships of pioneer life. However, this was not the greatest obstacle which she ahd to endure in her earthly pilgrimage. Much more drastic were the results of a prairie fire in 1889 which consumed her mother and also the parental home. this tragic incident left her motherless at the age of 13. Four years later her father died, leaving her an orphan at the age of 17.

One evening while returning from a schoolhouse prayer meeting the song, "Komm zu dem Heiland, Komme noch Heut" made an indelible impression upon her heart and mind. After intense heart searching and very earnest prayers she accepted Jesus as her Saviour and enjoyed forgiveness of sins. On May 14, 1894, she was baptized upon the confession of her faith by Elder Jacob Wiebe and received into the fellowship of the Salem K.M.B. church of which she remained a faithful member until her death. At the time of her departure she was the oldest member of this church.

On April 19, 1896, she was married to Joseph F. Walter by Elder Paul Tschetter. God granted them the rare privilege of sharing life's joys and sorrows for 59 years, eight months and nine days. In 1908 they sold their farm north of Freeman and bought the Rev. John Tschetter farm near the Salem church where they resided at the time of her death. Along with the many pressing duties of family life and providing a Christian home, mother and her companion found time to perform the janitor's duties of the Salem church for many years. This task of life was done cheerfully as unto the Lord.

Mother attended church services regularly and enjoyed relatively good health. However, on Dec. 18, 1955, she did not feel at par and did not go to church. The same day she suffered a severe heart attack (coronary thrombosis). At the request of the doctor the family was summoned to her bedside. She assured the family she was ready to die and that they should not weep for her.

On Monday, Dec. 19, she entered the Methodist Hospital in Mitchell. After several days she recovered beyond expectations. In fact she had permission to walk and planned to return to her family within a few days. But the Lord had other plans. On Dec. 28, 1955, at 2:00 p.m. during a peaceful slumber she had a second severe heart attack, which was fatal. She attained the age of 79 years, three months and 14 days.

Her parents, all her brothers and sisters, three children and one grandchild preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn her departure her bereaved husband Joseph and eight children: Matilda, Mrs. Joe P. Hofer, Parkston, S. D.; Claudia, at home; Ida, Mrs. Mike G. Wollman, Freeman; Anna, Mrs. Edmund Tschetter, Bridgewater; Erwin, at home; Justina, Mrs. Elias J. Hofer, Spencer; Bertha, Mrs. Wilmer Heuther, Menno; Susie, Mrs. Jake E. Hofer, Dalton.

Also surviving are six sons-in-law, 20 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren besides the nephews, nieces, other relatives and a host of friends and acquaintances.

Funeral services were conducted in the Salem K. M. B. Church on Jan. 1. Rev. John J. Kleinsasser spoke in German and Rev. Edwin F. Walter of Hutchinson, Kansas in English. A trio consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Dave M. Wollman and Jacob D. Wollman sang. interment was made in the local church cemetery.