Howard Ray Ratzlaff, was born October 19, 1932 on a farm near Jansen, Nebraska to David and Katherine (Friesen) Ratzlaff.  He was the youngest of six children.  His siblings (preceded in death) included Helen, Irvin, Grayce, Elmer and Harold.   

As a family, they worked hard to keep the farm during the unforgiving Dust Bowl days. When Howard was just five years of age, his father David, passed away from Tuberculosis. It was during these trying times that his mother Katherine decided to make the bold trek to the Midwest with livestock in tow.  The family settled in Sterling, Illinois where other relatives also resided. 

Sterling, would serve as the location of the next chapter in years of farm life.  Howard often talked about working on the farm and beginning his days with a cup of coffee when he was just eight years old.  These days were just the beginning of a strong and life long work ethic.  

He grew up with a passion for educating himself and learning. He once read the entire collection of Encyclopedias. After graduating high school, he went on to join the United States Navy.  He served four years, where he was stationed in Monterey, California, Tennessee and Norfolk, Virginia.

After serving in the Navy, he was transferred to Rockford, Illinois where he joined I.B.M.  He advanced his way up to Advisory Specialist, where he worked for 30 years.  His resume was full of accomplishments, but his real joy was in finding the solution to problems. That brought him a lot of satisfaction.  It also made him our go to person when any of us had a problem that we needed fixed.  If he didn't have the answer, he would find it for us.  He was always so happy to be able to help. Some of the computers he originally worked on are now in Smithsonian Institute, in Washington, D.C. 

Aside from a long successful career, his other pride and joy was his loving wife and his family.  In 1966, he married  Linda Lou Gross, in Middlesex, Pennsylvania.  He always said he wanted to have a big family of his own one day and that he received.  He is survived by wife Linda and their six children Lee (wife Ana), Teri, Julie Hill (husband Mike), Jeannette, Steve, and Rachel Timmermans (husband Erik).  He was blessed with 14 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. 

In 1995, in his retirement years the family moved to North Carolina, where eventually all the family settled. 

He left behind many a sad heart, but so many gifts as well. He taught us the importance of hard work, honesty and integrity.  His love for nature was contagious, as was his appreciation for the simple things in life. His gentle kindness, quick wit and sense of humor, dependability and absolute love for his family will always remain in our hearts. 

His marriage to our mother was one of the greatest examples of love I have ever known.  They shared 54 years together and we will forever be touched by the strength of their love for each other to the very end.  Howard died in the early morning hours, next to his wife at home. (not Covid related). In his final days he was surrounded by the love and care of his family.  He stayed long enough for each of us to say our final goodbye.  A tribute was written by his loving wife....

"He was my beloved husband, best friend and sweet Howard.  I could not have asked for more in life.  Our ending of life together, painful as it was, could not have been more meaningful. 

We shared everyday together over this last year (during the Covid pandemic) often watching the birds, sitting on the porch or by the fairy garden, enjoying the beauty before us. The time was also filled with many cherished visits from family. We felt so grateful! 
One evening, not so long ago before he died he shared such deep, spiritual thoughts with so much humility, if it was as if he was seeing beyond of where we are now.  It was a gift I will always cherish and remember him with so much love." - Linda