Obit: Ratsch, Robert H. (1921 - 2014)

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

Surnames: Ratsch, Nowek, Daniels, Ames, Watson, Lulloff, Canfield, Stefan, Smith, Bragg, Marden, Meshnick, Skiff, Wentz

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 2/26/2014

Ratsch, Robert H. (21 November 1921 - 19 February 2014)

Robert H. Ratsch, 92, of Neillsville died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Robert H. Ratsch was born Nov. 21, 1921, in Neillsville, the son of Herman and Emma (Nowek) Ratsch. He attended Reed School in Grant Township. He was united in marriage to Marie H. Daniels 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 he still operated today. In addition to farming, Bob also worked full-time as the maintenance supervisor for the Neillsville Public Schools from 1967 until his retirement in 1991. Even after his retirement, he continued to work at the school on a part-time basis for many years.

Bob attended the Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Neillsville and participated in their Young at Heart group. He enjoyed country western music, played guitar and performing in a musical group with his sisters, Anita and Luella.

Robert is survived by three sons, Russell (Judy) Ratsch of Neillsville, James (Dr. Donna Ames) 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 17 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Anita Lulloff of Neillsville; sisters-in-law, Irene Ratsch of Abbotsford and Elizabeth Canfield of Granton; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; a son, Jeffrey; his parents; sisters, Edna Stefan, Iris Smith and Luella Bragg; and brothers, Clarence “Jack” Ratsch, Harold Ratsch and infant brother, Walter Ratsch. Bob was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law, Robert Lulloff, Glen Marden, Carl Stefan, David Bragg and Frederick Daniels and sister-in-law, Dorothy Ratsch.

Funeral services for Robert were held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at the Living Hope Evangelical Church in Neillsville. Pastor Steven Wentz officiated. Music was provided by Kathy Meshnick, pianist, and David Skiff, soloist. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Gesche Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday morning at the church. Interment was in the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Casketbearers were Steve Daniels, Jake Ratsch, Jerry Marden, Stanley Ratsch, Stan Canfield and Ronald Ratsch.

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