Dennis Henry Ratzlaff

Dennis Henry Ratzlaff was born in Mountain Lake, MN on February 16, 1936 to Henry and Sara Ratzlaff. Dennis grew up in Mountain Lake attending the Christian Day School and graduating from Mountain Lake Public School in 1954. He was baptized upon confession of his faith in Jesus Christ, at the EMB Church in Mountain Lake where he sang in choir and various quartets. After graduation Dennis attended Grace Bible Institute for 1 Semester before returning to Mountain Lake to work for Land O Lakes. On January 17, 1959, Dennis was united in marriage to Faye Dodge at the Mountain Lake EMB Church (Cornerstone). Dennis joined 1W service and the couple moved to Reedley California where he was a cook at Kingsview Hospital in Reedley. In 1961, the couple returned to Mountain Lake, where Dennis was employed at the Co-op Creamery, and later he returned to Land O Lakes to work in the plant. While employed there he got a job driving farm bulk truck picking up milk from area farmers. After much hard work he got a promotion and began driving semi, picking up milk from other Land O Lakes Plants. After hours, for extra money, he hauled grain to grain terminals in Mankato and Savage, MN for area farmer, Marvin Nickel. Approximately 1979, Dennis was hired by Marten Transport, as an over the road truck driver where he worked for nearly 30 years. He received the Million Mile award for safe driving. He actually drove over 2 million miles while employed there with no accidents. Our family has many fond memories of Dad driving for Marten. After retirement he worked for Fast Sprayers, hauling equipment to dealers and hauling grain during harvest. He enjoyed working for Fast, because of this, the employees there were treated many times to Fayes good cookin! In his free time he enjoyed fishing and riding motorcycle. He cherished his time with family, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He and Faye enjoyed eating out together and with friends. Dad also enjoyed his time with the guys at the pool hall or eating breakfast or coffee time at the Hometown Café or Cenex in town. Dennis Henry Ratzlaff age 81, of Mountain Lake, MN died on November 14, 2017, at Good Samaritan Society-The Village in Mountain Lake. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Faye Ratzlaff; children, Kevin (Michelle) Ratzlaff, Patrick (Jenna) Ratzlaff, Michelle (Martin) Quintero; grandchildren, Krystie, Travis, Isaac, Josiah, Cody and April; great-grandchildren, Madison, Hunter, Kyle, Hayden and Finn; siblings, Willard Ratzlaff, Darlene (Duane) Bixel, Pauline (Don) Friesen, Dorothy Ratzlaff, Rose (Reese) Johnson, Ron (June) Ratzlaff; sister-in-law, Elaine Ratzlaff, Uncle Abe (Myrtle) Schultz, Aunt Irene Schultz, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceeded in death by infant daughter, Linda Ratzlaff; his parents, and brothers-in-law, John Ratzlaff and Milton Ratzlaff. Visitation 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sunday, November 19, 2017 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake Chapel 420 - 10th St. N. Mtn. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Visitation 9:30 am - 10:30 am Monday, November 20, 2017 Alliance Missionary Church-Mt Lake 809 - 5th Avenue Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Service Information 10:30 am Monday, November 20, 2017 Alliance Missionary Church-Mt Lake 809 - 5th Avenue Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Interment Information Cornerstone Cemetery (formerly EMB) West side of 570 Avenue, South of 360th St, North of 10th St/ Co. Rd 9 Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Reception A luncheon will take place at the church social hall immediately following interment.