Hello, my name is Franklin Ratzlaff.
I was born on December 14, 1937 in Wiley, CO to Frank and Lorraine (Orr) Ratzlaff. I spent most my youth in eastern Colorado farming and sheep ranching. I graduated from Frederick High and had the honor of being the Colorado Future Farmers of America (FFA) state president from 1954 - 1955. Upon graduation I worked at Great Western sugar mill and then at Bearly Alfalfa and Milling Company both in Longmont. One of my favorite pastimes was roller skating at the Wagon Wheel in Brighton, CO. It was there I met my beautiful wife to be Sharon. We were married in June of 1958. Together we had three children, Alan Lee Ratzlaff, who died at birth, Kirk Ratzlaff and Verneta Ratzlaff. Kirk married Debra Nichols and blessed me with three grandchildren, Staff Sgt. Jon Ratzlaff who married Shea Sweet, Austin Ratzlaff and Annica Ratzlaff who married Miles McCoy. My daughter married Anthony Lechman. They blessed me with two additional grandchildren Mariah Lechman and Nicole Lechman. After working at Gambles and Prudential Life Insurance Co, I started my career at State Farm Insurance as an agent September 1, 1967. I am proud of the hard work I put in to build a successful State Farm agency. State Farm rewarded the hard work of meeting sales goals, thus sending my wife and I on various trips to beautiful locations around the world. Along the way I had the privilege of making lifelong friends in other State Farm agents and employees too numerous to list. I had hoped to be a State Farm agent for 65 years but 49 ain't too bad. In my life I have enjoyed being involved in Boy Scouts of America, Lions Club and an active member of the churches I have attended. My greatest joys in life have been children, grandchildren and my amazing great grandson Gunner Jack Ratzlaff. Preceding me to heaven were my parents, my cherished wife Sharon, my infant son, my sister Jeanette Brown, and my brother in law Fred Hasl. I leave behind my children, grandchildren, great grandson, my brother Marvin (Linda) Ratzlaff, sister Lois (Harold) Grubbs, sister in law Trena Hasl, my nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces and numerous extended family and dear friends. My final request is that you not worry about me. I'm in heaven basking in God's love and looking forward to you joining me there. Visitation from 1 - 3pm Sunday April 2, 2017 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel 326 Terry St. Longmont, CO 80501 with family present to greet friends. Funeral service 11:00 am Monday April 3, 2017 at Grace Evangelical Free Church 2415 Lake Park Dr. Longmont, CO 80503. Graveside service and reception to follow. Memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences. -
I was born on December 14, 1937 in Wiley, CO to Frank and Lorraine (Orr) Ratzlaff. I spent most my youth in eastern Colorado farming and sheep ranching. I graduated from Frederick High and had the honor of being the Colorado Future Farmers of America (FFA) state president from 1954 - 1955. Upon graduation I worked at Great Western sugar mill and then at Bearly Alfalfa and Milling Company both in Longmont. One of my favorite pastimes was roller skating at the Wagon Wheel in Brighton, CO. It was there I met my beautiful wife to be Sharon. We were married in June of 1958. Together we had three children, Alan Lee Ratzlaff, who died at birth, Kirk Ratzlaff and Verneta Ratzlaff. Kirk married Debra Nichols and blessed me with three grandchildren, Staff Sgt. Jon Ratzlaff who married Shea Sweet, Austin Ratzlaff and Annica Ratzlaff who married Miles McCoy. My daughter married Anthony Lechman. They blessed me with two additional grandchildren Mariah Lechman and Nicole Lechman. After working at Gambles and Prudential Life Insurance Co, I started my career at State Farm Insurance as an agent September 1, 1967. I am proud of the hard work I put in to build a successful State Farm agency. State Farm rewarded the hard work of meeting sales goals, thus sending my wife and I on various trips to beautiful locations around the world. Along the way I had the privilege of making lifelong friends in other State Farm agents and employees too numerous to list. I had hoped to be a State Farm agent for 65 years but 49 ain't too bad. In my life I have enjoyed being involved in Boy Scouts of America, Lions Club and an active member of the churches I have attended. My greatest joys in life have been children, grandchildren and my amazing great grandson Gunner Jack Ratzlaff. Preceding me to heaven were my parents, my cherished wife Sharon, my infant son, my sister Jeanette Brown, and my brother in law Fred Hasl. I leave behind my children, grandchildren, great grandson, my brother Marvin (Linda) Ratzlaff, sister Lois (Harold) Grubbs, sister in law Trena Hasl, my nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces and numerous extended family and dear friends. My final request is that you not worry about me. I'm in heaven basking in God's love and looking forward to you joining me there. Visitation from 1 - 3pm Sunday April 2, 2017 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel 326 Terry St. Longmont, CO 80501 with family present to greet friends. Funeral service 11:00 am Monday April 3, 2017 at Grace Evangelical Free Church 2415 Lake Park Dr. Longmont, CO 80503. Graveside service and reception to follow. Memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences. -
Hello, my name is Franklin Ratzlaff.
I was born on December 14, 1937 in Wiley, CO to Frank and Lorraine (Orr) Ratzlaff. I spent most my youth in eastern Colorado farming and sheep ranching. I graduated from Frederick High and had the honor of being the Colorado Future Farmers of America (FFA) state president from 1954 - 1955. Upon graduation I worked at Great Western sugar mill and then at Bearly Alfalfa and Milling Company both in Longmont. One of my favorite pastimes was roller skating at the Wagon Wheel in Brighton, CO. It was there I met my beautiful wife to be Sharon. We were married in June of 1958. Together we had three children, Alan Lee Ratzlaff, who died at birth, Kirk Ratzlaff and Verneta Ratzlaff. Kirk married Debra Nichols and blessed me with three grandchildren, Staff Sgt. Jon Ratzlaff who married Shea Sweet, Austin Ratzlaff and Annica Ratzlaff who married Miles McCoy. My daughter married Anthony Lechman. They blessed me with two additional grandchildren Mariah Lechman and Nicole Lechman. After working at Gambles and Prudential Life Insurance Co, I started my career at State Farm Insurance as an agent September 1, 1967. I am proud of the hard work I put in to build a successful State Farm agency. State Farm rewarded the hard work of meeting sales goals, thus sending my wife and I on various trips to beautiful locations around the world. Along the way I had the privilege of making lifelong friends in other State Farm agents and employees too numerous to list. I had hoped to be a State Farm agent for 65 years but 49 ain't too bad. In my life I have enjoyed being involved in Boy Scouts of America, Lions Club and an active member of the churches I have attended. My greatest joys in life have been children, grandchildren and my amazing great grandson Gunner Jack Ratzlaff. Preceding me to heaven were my parents, my cherished wife Sharon, my infant son, my sister Jeanette Brown, and my brother in law Fred Hasl. I leave behind my children, grandchildren, great grandson, my brother Marvin (Linda) Ratzlaff, sister Lois (Harold) Grubbs, sister in law Trena Hasl, my nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces and numerous extended family and dear friends. My final request is that you not worry about me. I'm in heaven basking in God's love and looking forward to you joining me there. Visitation from 1 - 3pm Sunday April 2, 2017 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel 326 Terry St. Longmont, CO 80501 with family present to greet friends. Funeral service 11:00 am Monday April 3, 2017 at Grace Evangelical Free Church 2415 Lake Park Dr. Longmont, CO 80503. Graveside service and reception to follow. Memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences. -
I was born on December 14, 1937 in Wiley, CO to Frank and Lorraine (Orr) Ratzlaff. I spent most my youth in eastern Colorado farming and sheep ranching. I graduated from Frederick High and had the honor of being the Colorado Future Farmers of America (FFA) state president from 1954 - 1955. Upon graduation I worked at Great Western sugar mill and then at Bearly Alfalfa and Milling Company both in Longmont. One of my favorite pastimes was roller skating at the Wagon Wheel in Brighton, CO. It was there I met my beautiful wife to be Sharon. We were married in June of 1958. Together we had three children, Alan Lee Ratzlaff, who died at birth, Kirk Ratzlaff and Verneta Ratzlaff. Kirk married Debra Nichols and blessed me with three grandchildren, Staff Sgt. Jon Ratzlaff who married Shea Sweet, Austin Ratzlaff and Annica Ratzlaff who married Miles McCoy. My daughter married Anthony Lechman. They blessed me with two additional grandchildren Mariah Lechman and Nicole Lechman. After working at Gambles and Prudential Life Insurance Co, I started my career at State Farm Insurance as an agent September 1, 1967. I am proud of the hard work I put in to build a successful State Farm agency. State Farm rewarded the hard work of meeting sales goals, thus sending my wife and I on various trips to beautiful locations around the world. Along the way I had the privilege of making lifelong friends in other State Farm agents and employees too numerous to list. I had hoped to be a State Farm agent for 65 years but 49 ain't too bad. In my life I have enjoyed being involved in Boy Scouts of America, Lions Club and an active member of the churches I have attended. My greatest joys in life have been children, grandchildren and my amazing great grandson Gunner Jack Ratzlaff. Preceding me to heaven were my parents, my cherished wife Sharon, my infant son, my sister Jeanette Brown, and my brother in law Fred Hasl. I leave behind my children, grandchildren, great grandson, my brother Marvin (Linda) Ratzlaff, sister Lois (Harold) Grubbs, sister in law Trena Hasl, my nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces and numerous extended family and dear friends. My final request is that you not worry about me. I'm in heaven basking in God's love and looking forward to you joining me there. Visitation from 1 - 3pm Sunday April 2, 2017 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel 326 Terry St. Longmont, CO 80501 with family present to greet friends. Funeral service 11:00 am Monday April 3, 2017 at Grace Evangelical Free Church 2415 Lake Park Dr. Longmont, CO 80503. Graveside service and reception to follow. Memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences. -
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