Paul Ratzlaff, 82, of Langdon, ND, passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at the Cavalier County Memorial Hospital of Langdon, ND.
Paul was born May 28, 1929 to Abram Edmund and Anna (Neufeld) Ratzlaff at their farm home in Moscow Township, Cavalier County. He grew up and was educated in Moscow Township. He then began working on the family farm full time. Paul and Phebe Etterman were united in marriage on June 20, 1953 at Bethel Mennonite Church in rural Langdon, ND. They made their home in Moscow Township. Paul entered the United States Army in November of 1954 and served as a mechanic and tanker driver in Germany. He was honorably discharged in August of 1956. Paul and Phebe settled into the family farm where they farmed and raised four sons. Paul was a lifelong farmer. Though he technically retired in the mid 1990’s, he continued to help on the farm. Paul and Phebe moved into Langdon in 2000.
Over the years Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, gun collecting, trapshooting and playing on the Wales baseball team. Paul rarely missed an opportunity to attend his grandchildren’s football, basketball, softball or baseball games. He was a member of the American Legion Post #98 of which he was a past commander. He was one of the founding members of the Cavalier County Weed Board and served on the Moscow Township board.
Paul is survived by his wife of 58 years: Phebe of Langdon; sons: Doug (Cathy Hammond) of Stanwood, WA, Jerry (Nancy) of Devils Lake, ND, Steve (Denise) of Wales, ND, and Mike (Tara) of Lake Bronson, MN; and grandchildren: Erik of Portland and Annie of Woodinville, WA, Dustin and Brock both at home in Devils Lake, ND, Krystal and Ashley both at home in Wales, ND, and Serena at home in Lake Bronson, MN. Paul is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Wesley, Ruby Pikal, Harold, Evelyn Canan, Doris Moser, Edna Rhoad; and a nephew.
SERVICES will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 2:00pm at the United Methodist Church of Langdon, ND.
INTERMENT: Bethel Cemetery, Rural Langdon, ND.
