Elizabeth Lohrenz

Elizabeth Ratzloff, daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Hiebert) Ratzloff, was born on October 29, 1911, in Carson Township, Delft, MN. She accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized, August 24, 1928, upon confession of her faith into the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church in Mt. Lake. She attended country school in Cottonwood County. When Elizabeth was thirteen, her mother passed away. As a result of this, Elizabeth had to leave school and begin work as a hired girl, working at homes into which twins had been born. Here she took care of the children, cooked, baked, washed, and cleaned for the families. She worked in this capacity until she was united in marriage to Paul on October 12, 1932, in the Bethel Mennonite Church. After their marriage, they resided on a farm east of Mt. Lake. In 1946, they moved to their farm site south of Mt. Lake; this became the home where they raised their family. They began an active ministry in the church, where Elizabeth taught Sunday School, served as Sunday School superintendent, worked making quilts and numerous missionary supplies in the Worship and Sew Society. For many years she and Paul also served faithfully in the MCC Meat Canning Program. Throughout her life, Elizabeth loved music; she loved to sing the hymns of her faith. As a young girl she willingly walked over three miles to participate in the church choir. She also enjoyed playing the piano and organ at home. On numerous occasions, her family remembers being awakened on Sunday morning to Elizabeth playing and singing her favorite hymn, The Love of God. Although family was Elizabeth's first love, organizing and working on the farm and yard were easily her second love. She particularly enjoyed mowing the lawn, creating a finely manicured park look. Elizabeth loved to work; however, during her spare time she enjoyed quilting, needle point, and crocheting, making afghans for each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved to cook and bake. She and Paul faithfully carried full meals and lunches, including pie, to the men working in the fields. In 2000, due to Paul's declining health, they moved to the Laker Apartments, where a short time later, Paul moved to the Good Samaritan Village in Mt. Lake. After Paul's death, Elizabeth continued to enjoy living at the Laker Apartments until health issues caused her to move to the Eventide Suites. After a brief time, needing additional care, she moved to the Good Samaritan Village, where she resided until her death. Here she actively participated in all activities maintaining her love of life until the very end. She loved her Lord. She would begin and end each day reading her Bible and praying, upholding her family in prayer. She went peacefully to join her beloved Paul and her Lord and Savior on November 17, 1008, at the age of 97 years and 19 days. Elizabeth is survived by her four children: Jim and his wife Nancy of Canton, SD; Carol McClure and her husband Paul of Denver, Colorado; Stan and his wife Marjorie of Bingham Lake, MN; Beverly Larsen and her husband Richard of Canby, MN; ten grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul, two brothers Henry and Nels, and four sisters Marie Warkentin, Helen Quiring, Anne Quiring, and Esther Schroeder.