John Jacob Ratzlaff, 86, passed away Feb.l4, 2020 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. This picture of Dad is from 1964, when his one and only son was born. Don’t worry ..... our Ratzlaff clan’s name will carry on.

Born to Herman Ratzlaff and Alice Boese/Ratzlaff in Barton County, Kan., John graduated from Radium High School in 1951, attended the Assembly of God church, and served as an aircraft mechanic in the US Navy from 1953-1957. Although John was a lifelong dedicated dryland

farmer in Barton and Stafford counties, other occupations included: carpentry, oil field, construction and mechanics. In John’s youth, he enjoyed hunting, trapping, and fishing. He knew all of the good fishing holes, in which later he enjoyed taking his children to. In the latest years, John enjoyed solitude and a good game of solitaire! As a retired farmer, he loved to keep a slow moving, vigilant watch on all surrounding farms on his daily “Ag Tours” with whom his dog rode along happily. It would be no shock for him to randomly stop by friends, such as Brian Anshutz, or family to make small talk about the crops and the county.

Survivors include brother Jim Ratzlaff and sister-in-law Darlene (Dixie as we all call her); son William Ratzlaff of Larned; daughters Tammy Fry and husband Brian of Great Bend, Shelly Rhodes and husband Dustin of Kansas City, Brenda Grabast and husband Ken of Hudson, and Kara Ratzlaff-Grover and husband James of Larned; his two step children Tim Cruse and wife Tammy of Wichita, Shelia Crank and husband Adam of Hutchinson; 18 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Benita Simmons; sister Laverda Helwig and brother-in-law Scott; first ex-wife Roberta Moore; and second ex-wife Juanita Gilbertson/Ratzlaff.

Any condolences may be sent out as prayers ... for our country’s farmers .... as we are down one. A graveside service will be held at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery (NW 200 St & NW 70th Ave), Pawnee Rock, KS at 1 p.m. May 23rd.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 10, 2020