In Memory Of
Donna Ratzlaff
Thank you to all of those that prayed fervently for my family while Donna was being called Home. Her fearless journey was complete evidence your prayers were answered, even though we wished for the other outcome. 144 Gideon Bibles were donated, and over $2,400 was donated to Bon Homme Bible Camp.
I chose her Springfield High School graduation picture as I believe that will be the renewed and transformed body we will recognize in Heaven. This is the girl I never got to see, as her image totally changed during the next 3 years until I met her in 1981. She graduated at the top of her class, and her name is inscribed with the gold and blue school colors. The Angels that were inscribed before I purchased this stone were so fitting as she loved to collect angel figurines, and it fit in well with the beautiful song named above her passing date.
At the age of 20, Donna wrote a prayer in her diary thanking the Lord for being in control of the future.
"Don't let my flicker of faith go out. I wish I could help everyone so their loads would be lighter.
Friends mean a lot to me, and I want memories of me to linger long after I am gone."
As unconventional as it may be, I have designed this headstone purchased through Schroeder Memorial in Tyndall, SD to be remembered for. So many of you never had the chance to say good-bye to her because of pandemic conditions, or will ever get to view this headstone and its message in person, so I have put this together for you to see. Please feel free to share this as you wish. Thank you!
Psalm 139:15-16 reads, "You watched as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." This passage could not be better coupled with any verse but Jeremiah 29:11, her favorite Bible verse, "For I know the plans I have for you. They are not to harm you, but to give you hope and a future." God provided the grace and strength to endure the predetermined health challenges she would face most of her life. Never once did I hear her question, "God, why me?"
God graciously allowed her to birth 3 children before life-saving medical surgeries needed to be performed, but the inability to control the resulting scar tissue from those surgeries along with the return of the same cancer that revived after 20 years, was a major factor in her death.
Apparently, out of her love for her mother, she never told me until after the passing of her mother in 2017 that she had confirmed with her mom in 1997 that there was heavy prenatal exposure to DDT, an endocrine disrupter pesticide that was banned in 1973. "We stirred it with our hands - they never told us it was dangerous." Even then, Donna did not want me to tell her siblings. I have only praise for Jessie as a mother-in-law. Of course, I wish it had not happened, but she had no way of knowing, and I must accept God's promise that all things work together for the good of those that love God.
Discovering God's plan for our life can be difficult, and accepting that plan can be even harder. But, I want you to know if you are reading this account, you are part of her plan. The verses inscribed on the headstone were not just for her. They are promises from God for you every day of your life. Just as she wished for all to accept the free gift of salvation during her time on earth, I am sure that as she enjoys Heaven now, she is pleading all the more. Please make Jesus your Lord now if you haven't so you tooo can one day hear, "Well done! Enter into the joy of the Lord."
Written by Cal Ratzlaf
I chose her Springfield High School graduation picture as I believe that will be the renewed and transformed body we will recognize in Heaven. This is the girl I never got to see, as her image totally changed during the next 3 years until I met her in 1981. She graduated at the top of her class, and her name is inscribed with the gold and blue school colors. The Angels that were inscribed before I purchased this stone were so fitting as she loved to collect angel figurines, and it fit in well with the beautiful song named above her passing date.
At the age of 20, Donna wrote a prayer in her diary thanking the Lord for being in control of the future.
"Don't let my flicker of faith go out. I wish I could help everyone so their loads would be lighter.
Friends mean a lot to me, and I want memories of me to linger long after I am gone."
As unconventional as it may be, I have designed this headstone purchased through Schroeder Memorial in Tyndall, SD to be remembered for. So many of you never had the chance to say good-bye to her because of pandemic conditions, or will ever get to view this headstone and its message in person, so I have put this together for you to see. Please feel free to share this as you wish. Thank you!
Psalm 139:15-16 reads, "You watched as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." This passage could not be better coupled with any verse but Jeremiah 29:11, her favorite Bible verse, "For I know the plans I have for you. They are not to harm you, but to give you hope and a future." God provided the grace and strength to endure the predetermined health challenges she would face most of her life. Never once did I hear her question, "God, why me?"
God graciously allowed her to birth 3 children before life-saving medical surgeries needed to be performed, but the inability to control the resulting scar tissue from those surgeries along with the return of the same cancer that revived after 20 years, was a major factor in her death.
Apparently, out of her love for her mother, she never told me until after the passing of her mother in 2017 that she had confirmed with her mom in 1997 that there was heavy prenatal exposure to DDT, an endocrine disrupter pesticide that was banned in 1973. "We stirred it with our hands - they never told us it was dangerous." Even then, Donna did not want me to tell her siblings. I have only praise for Jessie as a mother-in-law. Of course, I wish it had not happened, but she had no way of knowing, and I must accept God's promise that all things work together for the good of those that love God.
Discovering God's plan for our life can be difficult, and accepting that plan can be even harder. But, I want you to know if you are reading this account, you are part of her plan. The verses inscribed on the headstone were not just for her. They are promises from God for you every day of your life. Just as she wished for all to accept the free gift of salvation during her time on earth, I am sure that as she enjoys Heaven now, she is pleading all the more. Please make Jesus your Lord now if you haven't so you tooo can one day hear, "Well done! Enter into the joy of the Lord."
Written by Cal Ratzlaf