Esther Ratzlaff
Esther Ratzlaff, 78, passed away December 6, 2009, at Schowalter Villa, Hesston. She was born September 3, 1931, in Meade County, KS, the daughter of Abe L. and Agnes Bartel Classen. She had worked as an elementary school teacher and as a librarian for Newton Public Library. She was a charter member of Hesston Mennonite Brethren Church, Hesston, where she was a longtime Sunday School teacher. For 17 years she had been a teacher for Newton Weekday Bible School, Newton. On July 21, 1959, she married Edwin Ratzlaff. He passed away on February 23, 2007.
Survivors include: her four daughters, Wilda Wagner and husband Rob of Lincoln, NE, Cheryl Goertzen and husband Kerry of Inman, KS, Twila Loewen and husband Gary of Scottsdale, AZ, and Verda Salberg and husband John of Overland Park, KS; two brothers, John Classen of Topeka, KS, and Menno Classen and wife Susanna of Aurora, NE; five sisters, Martha Baerg and husband Henry of Mt. Lake, MN, Ann Classen of Meade, KS, Alma Regier of Meade, KS, Arlene Stoesz and husband Jr. of Mt. Lake, MN, and Leona Buller and husband Harold of Hillsdale, OK; and six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 10, 2009, at Hesston Mennonite Brethren Church, with Pastor Steve Toews officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston. Burial will be in Hesston Cemetery, Hesston. Memorials may be sent to Hesston Mennonite Brethren Church, or Newton Weekday Bible School, both in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, 107 S. Lancaster, Hesston, KS 67062.