Josephine Ratzlaff

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at Grace Bible Church, Highmore with Pastor Sheena Thomson officiating. Burial was in the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation was held at  5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 29, 2008 at Luze Funeral Home in Highmore.

Josephine Leatha was born on May 20, 1920 to Abraham D. and Elizabeth (Goossen) Ensz on a farm which was located between Lahoma and Meno Oklahoma in Major County which was Cherokee Strip Land. The youngest of twelve living children, she received her elementary education at Pleasant Valley School #173 and graduated from Oklahoma Bible Academy at Meno in 1937. For a number of years, Josephine served on the O.B.A. Alumni Board. Upon High School graduation, she was too young to begin her nurse's training so she worked for a time with a doctor who had a practice near her home. Josephine gave care to new mothers and their babies in their homes. As her sisters began their families, she would help them too. An experience often talked about was a trip that Josephine and a girlfriend took to California where they worked in homes providing childcare. But she was glad to return to the family and farm home in Meno.

At the wedding of her friend Sadie, a waitress named Josephine met the best man, Arnold Ratzlaff. November 5, 1950 they were married. With three young heifers, the beginnings of a milking herd, the couple made their way back to Arnold’s home state of South Dakota. They started their married life on the former Melvin Mesick Homestead south of Highmore in Eagle Township. Upon arrival, Josephine immediately became active in the newly established church, Grace Bible of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, serving in various offices, Sunday School Teacher and sharing her voice for special numbers. Always at Arnold’s side, Josephine helped to establish their farm and home even lending aid with carpentry skills and mechanics. Older brothers and sisters taught her well.

The home from which Josephine had come was one where there was much laughter, storytelling and sharing time with neighbors and friends. She soon adopted her new home and community. Spending time with other people was one of her greatest pleasures. September 21, 2006 a stroke took her to Hand County Memorial Hospital and on October 4th Josephine entered the Highmore Healthcare Center.

She was a member of the Hyde County Historical and Genealogical Society and the Hyde County Senior Center.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Arnold of Highmore; her four children: Skyla of Highmore, Elroy (Donita) of Highmore, Robin (Gary) Sivertsen of Ree Heights and Durward of Highmore; seven grandchildren: Wade (Kim), Cody (Jenny) and Shanna Sivertsen; Amanda (Mike) Wentlandt, Christopher, Elizabeth and Benjamin Bleeker; six great grandchildren: Dalton, Sheridyn, Sarah, Colby, Kaydence and Jocelynn; and a brother-in-law: Alvin Frey of Meno, Oklahoma.

She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Hulda, John, Anna, Mary, Elizabeth, Abraham D., Helen, Daniel, William, Henry, Mathilda, Louesa and Justina.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Josephine's arrangements.

MINSTER
Sheena Thomson

CASKETBEARERS
Myron Ratzlaff
Cody Sivertsen
Wade Sivertsen
Lee Kolda
Benjamin Bleeker
Doran Bartscher

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Shanna Sivertsen
Elizabeth Bleeker
Amanda Wentlandt
Christopher Bleeker
Great Grandchildren
All Friends

USHERS
Orvile Ratzlaff
LeRoy Ratzlaff
Robert Hanson

GUESTBOOK
Lucille Gibson

FLOWERBEARERS
Ratzlaff Family

ORGANIST
Katherine Hieb

MUSICIANS
Annette Sewright
Lucille Vander Vorst
Yvonne Bartscher
"I Can Only Imagine"
"In Heaven's Eyes"

David & Carol Quam
"The Lord's Prayer"
"It Is Well With My Soul"

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"
"In The Garden"
"Safe In The Arms of Jesus"