Arnold Ratzlaff

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Arnold Ratzlaff, 94, of Highmore, passed away April 1, 2011 at his home.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Grace Bible in Highmore with Pastor Sheena Thomson officiating. Burial will be in the Highmore Cemetery.  Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at Luze Funeral Home in Highmore.

Arnold Edwin was born June 6, 1916 to Isaac and Eva (Boese) Ratzlaff.  Walking the three miles distance with his siblings to South Eagle School, he received his elementary education and completed his education at Highmore High School, graduating in 1935.  Upon graduation, Arnold’s life continued at the family farm with a few time outs.  There were trips to Marion, South Dakota to see family which included some favorite cousins.  There was a short time attending Bible College at Anderson, Indiana where his brother Leslie was.  A road trip with brother Gilbert eventually took them to the state of Washington to see a neighbor family who’d moved there.  Arnold stayed for a while and had a job working in a door factory.

On November 4, 1950, Arnold and Josephine Ensz were married in Meno, Oklahoma.  They had met at the wedding of Arnold’s cousin, Walter Boese’s.  Walter’s wife, Sadie, was a friend of Josephine’s.  Following the wedding,  the couple made their way back to South Dakota, settling down on one of Isaac’s farmsteads; this was a half mile from the schoolhouse Arnold had attended.  Following Isaac’s passing, the farm became Arnold and Josephine’s.  His work on the farm made a living for his family.  His family and church life filled Arnold’s days and years with fulfillment.  A time of service on Eagle Township Board completed his off the farm activities.

May 18, 2006, Arnold made a personal decision to extend his quality of life by beginning regular kidney dialysis at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre.  This meant he would be able to live at home and take his treatments three days a week.  Towards the end of his life, treatments were reduced to twice a week.

Arnold leaves behind his four children: Skyla, Durward and Elroy (Donita) of Highmore and Robin (Gary) Sivertsen of Ree Heights; grandchildren: Amanda, Elizabeth, Christopher, Benjamin, Wade, Cody and Shanna; great grandchildren: Kaydence, Jocelynn, Holden, Dalton, Sheridyn, Sarah, Toby and Colby; siblings: Clara Hall, Orville Ratzlaff, Sydney Ratzlaff and LeRoy Ratzlaff; sisters-in-law: Laura Ratzlaff, widow of Alvin and Grace Ratzlaff, widow of Leslie and a brother-in-law, Alvin Frey.

Arnold was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Josephine, on December 27, 2008; brothers: Alvin, Gilbert, a set of twins, Leslie and Willis; and sisters: Esther, Rosa, Ida, Virginia, Florence, Mary and Ruby.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Arnold’s arrangements.