Donald (Don) W. Ratzlaff, 85, died Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at Kansas Christian Home surrounded by some of his dearest friends.
Don was born Nov. 25, 1930, at Grace Hospital in Hutchinson to Aron and Susana (Friesen) Ratzlaff. His great-grandparents were Mennonite immigrants coming from Russia in 1874.They settled a farm in Kansas.
He moved to Newton in 1996 to be near several of his cousins. Don joined St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in 1997 and loved attending services, and volunteered with the Payee Program at the church for 10 years.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Aron and Susana (Friesen) Ratzlaff; son, Michael Lynn Ratzlaff; siblings, Lorena Fay, Melvin Ratzlaff and Wesley Ratzlaff; numerous nieces and nephews including, Lloyd and wife Sharon Ratzlaff of McPherson, and Debbie Ratzlaff Mulkey of Gloster, Miss.; dear friends, Terry Zeidler of Redlands, Calif., and Charlie Robinson and Rich Stinnett of Newton; and a loving church family.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church of Newton. Graveside services will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, in Buhler Cemetery East, Buhler, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at St. Matthews Episcopal Church. Friends are invited to join in a time of sharing and fellowship meal after the memorial service at the church.
Memorials may be made to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Operating Endowment Fund.
