July 24, 1924 March 18, 2022
Velma Irene Ratzlaff, 97, of Hutchinson, died Friday, March
18, 2022 at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born July 24, 1924 in
rural Reno County to Edward and Louise (Kaufman) Schwartz. She grew up on a
farm close to Pretty Prairie and attended Evening Star Grade School. Velma
graduated from Pretty Prairie High School and attended Bethel College in North
Newton. Richard Ratzlaff and Velma Schwartz were married on May 27, 1948 at
First Mennonite Church in Pretty Prairie.
Velma led a very active life. She stepped into the role of
pastor?s wife and helped at many of the churches Rich pastored. Rich and Velma
lived and worked as a team in churches from Deer Creek, OK, Chicago, IL,
Holland, PA, Liberal and Hutchinson. She also held jobs at Penn Fruit in
Pennsylvania and worked in the dietary department at Hutchinson Hospital for
many years. Velma and Rich spent 4 years as Co-Directors at Camp Mennoscah at
Murdock. They retired from there to the family farm near Cheney Lake in 1988.
Velma and Rich spent 25 years enjoying their rural retirement.
During Velma?s retirement years she volunteered at, TTV- ETC
Shop in Hutchinson.
She continued to garden, preserving her harvest,
entertaining family and friends on the farm. Velma and Rich enjoyed traveling
and taking trips with their family. Her biggest enjoyment was having family
together and being involved with her grandchildren, Jen and Brian. Velma and
Rich moved to Mennonite Friendship Communities in South Hutchinson in 2014. They
enjoyed their time there catching up with long time friends and making new
friends.
Survivors are Tim of Newton, Tom (Donna) of Newton;
Grandchildren, Jen (Cody) Buchanan of Denver, CO, Brian Ratzlaff of Lawrence;
Great Grandchildren, Dylan and Julian Buchanan. Velma was preceded in death by
her parents, her husband, Richard and her sisters, Cora (Lawrence) Schrag and
Helen (Mel) Flickinger.
Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, March 29th
from 6pm to 8pm. The Memorial Service is scheduled for Wednesday, March 30th at
10:30am with Tonya Ramer Wenger. Both will be at First Mennonite Church of
Hutchinson, 52 Rambler Road, Hutchinson, KS. Friends may sign the book from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorial Contributions may be made to First Mennonite Church
of Hutchinson or Mennonite Friendship Communities in South Hutchinson, in care
of Elliott Mortuary 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Visit the Elliott
Mortuary website to leave personal condolence to Velma?s family.
