Obit: Ratsch, Marie Hope #2 (1927 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ratsch, Pool, Daniels, Watson, Canfield, Elmhorst, Meshnick, Wentz

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/01/2013

Ratsch, Marie Hope (3 April 1927 - 27 April 2013)

Marie H. Ratsch, 86, of Neillsville died Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Marie Hope Daniels was born April 3, 1927, at home in the Town of Grant in Clark County, the daughter of Frederick and Grace (Pool) Daniels. Marie attended Granton Schools and graduated valedictorian of the class of 1945. She then went to work as a switchboard operator for the telephone company. She was united in marriage to Robert Ratsch Sept. 21, 1946, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Together they farmed and raised their family in the Town of Grant. In 1978 they moved to a smaller farm, which they still operate today. Marie loved the farm, especially her cats. She also loved gardening and canning all that she grew and making apple pies. Marie and her friend, Millie Faber, spent many hours singing for many different area groups and nursing homes throughout the Neillsville and Granton areas. Her church and faith were very important to her, and she shared her faith by teaching Sunday school at Living Hope Evangelical Free Church, where she was a member. She also belonged to their Young At Heart Club.

Marie is survived by her husband, Robert; three sons, Russell (Judy) Ratsch of Neillsville, James (Donna) Ratsch of los Angeles, CA, and Robert (Stacy) Ratsch, Jr. of Sacramento, CA; a daughter-in-law, Lucia Watson of North Foster, RI; 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Canfield of Granton, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Jeffrey; and siblings, Christine Elmhorst, Dorothy Elmhorst, Maurice Daniels and Frederick Daniels.

Funeral services for Marie were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Neillsville. Pastor Steven Wentz officiated. Music was provided by Kathy Meshnick, pianist. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday morning at the church prior to the service. Interment was in Neillsville City Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Marie’s family with funeral arrangements.