Obituary

Esther Frieda Ratzlaff Schrag, 95, died on Tuesday (March 20, 2012) at Kidron Bethel in North Newton.

The youngest of six children, she was born on March 23, 1916, on the family farm near Meno, Okla., to the Rev. John J. Ratzlaff and Mary Decker Ratzlaff.  She attended Cozy Palace Grade School near the family farm in Oklahoma until her family moved to Newton in 1926. She was a proud Newton High School graduate (1934), enjoying her time in high school during the heyday of Frank Lindley's basketball teams. She had great memories of high school basketball, choir trips and life-long friendships with her locker partners. She appreciated her teachers "Ma" McBeth, who taught her to love Shakespeare and Caddie Perkins and La Vina Livingood, who gave her a good foundation for teaching. She was greatly influenced by her music professor, Walter Holmann, home economics, Mamie Kennedy Phillips, and Bible professor A. E. Kreider. She graduated from Bethel College in 1938 with a bachelor of science in home economics. While at Bethel, she enjoyed college choir trips, classes and the friendships she developed.

She was a home demonstrator of washing machines, ironers and other products for Bendix Corporation in Kansas City and with Hallmark Cards to help support her husband while he was in dental school. She taught home economics in Goessel and Hillsboro before her daughters were born and in McPherson once they were in school. She was an active fund-raiser for: Bethel College; a mental health hospital in McPherson; Kauffman Museum; and Kidron Bethel. She, John and daughters spent two years in alternative service in Aibonito and Pugillas, Puerto Rico. After retirement, she and John served in voluntary service on three Native American reservations. She enjoyed traveling to many locations in the United States, Europe, Central and South America. Trips often were combined with attending church conferences, Elderhostels or visiting family.  She loved classical and sacred music; for many years she and John attended the Wichita Symphony and performances at Bethel College and in church. She enjoyed social occasions, good food, playing table games and silly songs and good jokes.

She was baptized and joined Bethel College Mennonite Church on May 22, 1932. She was a faithful member of the local Mennonite church her entire life (First Mennonite in McPherson, Eden Mennonite in Moundridge and Bethel College Mennonite in North Newton).  On June 12, 1943, she married John O. Schrag, a fellow Bethel College classmate.

John and their two daughters (Sandra Zerger and Rebecca Fretz) survive her. Family was very important to her.
Her siblings (all deceased) were Ruie Ratzlaff (Henry) Becker, Walter Ratzlaff (Alice), Sadie Ratzlaff Harms (Edwin), Paul Ratzlaff and Kathryn Ratzlaff Blair (Milford). Son-in-laws are John D. Zerger and Thomas H. Fretz. Grandchildren include: Jonathan Zerger (Heather Esau), Mark Fretz (Wibke Wojanowski), Brian Zerger (Kristin Bohnenblust) and Amy Kristine Fretz (deceased). Great-grandchildren are Piet Fretz, Til Fretz, Justin Zerger, Addison Zerger and Allision and Madelyn Zerger. In addition, she leaves behind brother-in-law, Milo Schrag (Ann); sister-in-law, Dorothy Schrag; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday (March 24, 2012) at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday (March 25, 2012) at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25 at Bethel College Mennonite Church.  Memorials may be designated to Bethel College or to the Mennonite Central Committee.