Elsie Beatrice Ratzlaff

Elsie Beatrice Ratzlaff October 7, 1923 to January 5, 20016 Elsie Ratzlaff, a lifetime resident of Corn went to be with her Heavenly Father on June 5, 2016 at the age of 92. She was born on October 7, 1923, the eldest of 5 children to W.P. and Matilda Kliewer. Elsie accepted the lord as her savior at young age and graduated high school from Corn Bible Academy. She later worked as an operator at the Corn Phone Exchange and a short while at the Washita County Enterprise. Following WWII, Elsie married the love of her life, Herb Ratzlaff on March 6, 1947. They made their home 1 mile south and 1/2 east of Corn on the Ratzlaff family homestead where they raised their five children, Florence, Frances, Marlene, Percy and Michale. Elsie was a charter member of the Calvary Baptist Church and remained a faithful member as long as her health permitted. She taught Sunday School class, worked on the Kitchen Committee and was active in the Women's Ministry Fellowship where she served as Treasurer for many years. She was also a charter member of the Corn American Legion Auxiliary where she served a number of years as president. When Mom and Dad reached their 50th anniversary all they wanted was to spend a long weekend at an area lake with their entire family. It was a precious time and the family continued to gather for each following anniversary in the same manner until Dad passed away in 2004. Mom worked very hard. She loved working outdoors much more than in the house and since dad went custom harvesting each summer she was left to care for the homestead. It's hard telling how many hours she bounced around on a tractor doing all the land work from plowing thru planting. For many years without a cab or air-conditioning. Our parents also grew a large garden each year and had a number of fruit trees. Mom never wasted anything,, from the green apples that made cobbler to the overripe ones that made jam. In later years, our parents enjoyed their month-long trips to South Texas to fish, a sport they both loved. But like everything else, it was not just a pleasure trip. They caught their limit as often as possible so they would have extra fish to share with people back home. In 1979, when Jim and Flo purchased the local grocery store and were unable to get quality produce, Herb and Elsie started making weekly trips to the farmer's Market to load the suburban with fresh produce. This led to supplying produce for the Cafe, nursing home and schools as well as door-to-door delivery. A dear friend said after Mom had passed that she was cruising the streets of heaven with Daddy in their suburban. As a family, we are so thankful that she has gotten her wish and is at peace in the loving arms of her heavenly father and dad. Mom had close to six months on the farm alone after Dad died in April of 2004, because in October of that year, she suffered a massive cranial aneurism. Doctors said she would likely not recover from. But Mom's strong will and tenacity for life wouldn't let her give up, and although she was never able to live alone again on the farm, she did spend many happy years at the Corn Heritage Village apartments and later at Assisted living in Weatherford. In August 2013 Mom's health had deteriorated to the point where she needed full nursing home care. It was a confusing time for the entire family and all Mom really wished was to be able to go Home to heaven and be with her Heavenly Father and with dad. Elsie was preceded in death by her parents and infant brother, Jacob Earl. She is survived by her children; Flo and husband Jim Richardson of Corn, Frances Wood of Anchorage, Alaska, Marlene and husband Shelby Thompson of Edmond, Percy and wife Connie of Piedmont, and Dr. Michale Ratzlaff of Anchorage, Alaska; 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter; three brothers, John, Roy and Allen and one sister Mildred Wichert; many nieces, nephews and friends The family plans a private memorial at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kiesau-lee Funeral Home. Memorials may be made in Elsie's name to Calvary Baptist Church in Corn.