Kermit Ratzlaff, Hillsboro
Kermit Ratzlaff Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information (jostfuneralhome.com)
December 26, 1921 - September 27, 2022
Kermit Ratzlaff, Hillsboro, Kansas, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2022, at Parkside Home in Hillsboro at the age of 100.
Kermit was born December 26, 1921, in the Hillsboro Hospital to Jonathan J. and Marie Plenert Ratzlaff. In 1928, they moved to the Balko area in the panhandle of Oklahoma, in time for the hardships of the dust bowl. The family was part of the Balko Mennonite Brethren Church, and he was baptized at the age of 12. Kermit was valedictorian at Corn Bible Academy and at Bethany school at Balko.
He enrolled in Tabor College, and here he met Ruth Warkentin. In the fall of 1942, they were engaged, days before he was inducted into Civilian Public Service as a Conscientious Objector, serving in Oregon, Wisconsin, and California.
Kermit and Ruth were married in Los Angeles on August 11, 1944, and lived in Pasadena, California, for 14 years where they produced five children. They spent 4four years in west Los Angeles, and he received his Ph.D. in zoology from UCLA in 1961.
In 1962, the family moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, where he joined the faculty of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He remained at SIUE until retirement in 1992.
Within a couple years, he and Ruth moved to Hillsboro, Kansas. There he stayed always busy with gardening and volunteering. He immediately joined the Lions Club and helped at the Adobe House Museum. He was an active proponent of recycling in Hillsboro. Kermit led the Senior Center board, and his interest in affordable housing led him to leadership at Grand Oaks and to working with Habitat for Humanity.
Still needing activity and wanting to be busy, he was a paperboy until age 97, possibly the world’s oldest. His hundredth birthday slideshow may be viewed at https://theRatzlaffs.net
Kermit was predeceased by his wife of nearly 62 years, Ruth, and by his brother Harvey, and his sister Merlie Friesen.
He is survived by five children: Kenneth (Virginia), Ronald (Nancy), David (Elizabeth), Marilyn Lovinger (Warren) and Eugene (Jewel); 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and his sister Irma Koop.
Viewing will be at Parkview MB Church, on October 7, 5-7 p.m. Burial will be in the Hillsboro MB Cemetery at 10 a.m., October 8, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Parkview MB Church.
The family suggests memorials supporting two of his passions: the Hillsboro Senior Center and the Mennonite Central Committee in care of Jost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 266, Hillsboro, KS 67063.
Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com.
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