Loren E. Ratliff

RATLIFF, HALL, BALDWIIN, SCHWEMM, SCHMIDT, SCHWAKEM ANDERSON

Posted By: diane beier (email)
Date: 3/25/2016 at 19:08:44

Loren E. Ratliff, 76, of Independence, Iowa graduated into heaven Monday, January 18, 2016 at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa.

Loren was born on November 27, 1939 in New Boston, MO the son of Thomas E. and Verna A. (Hall) Ratliff. He moved with his family to Nashua, IA and later to the Tripoli, IA area where he graduated from the Tripoli High School in 1958. He enlisted in the US Army on June 16, 1958. On April 12, 1959 he was married to Kathryn L. Ehler in the Aurora Methodist Church, Aurora, Iowa, and the couple lived in Bad Kreuznach, Germany for four years then in Ft. Ord, CA. Following his honorable discharge on June 15, 1964 and the couple returned to Independence, Iowa. Loren was employed with Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, John Deere in Waterloo, the Independence Light Plant, and drove for Jensen Transport in Independence prior to becoming an Owner/Operator for North American Van Lines and Warren Transport in Waterloo, Iowa for twenty years prior to his retirement in 2011. He achieved over three million miles of safe driving thru out his career. Loren also loved farming owning a Black Angus Farm near New Boston, MO. With his son Glen.

Loren accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord in 1969 and was baptized later that year. He taught Sunday school at Sunnyside Church in Waterloo, Iowa. His loves were family, God, and our country, being especially grateful for the United States of America and the freedom we enjoy. He enjoyed riding horses, fishing, boating, biking, and wintering in warm Texas.

He was a long time active member and Past President of the Independence Saddle Club.

Loren is survived by his wife of 57 years Kathryn Ratliff of Independence. Two sons; Glen Ratliff , Arvada, CO, and Gary Ratliff, Bremerton, Washington, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren. Five sisters; Eloise Baldwin, Littleton, CO, Linda Schwemm, Waverly, IA, Karen Schmidt, Lakewood, CO, Karla Schwake, Sumner, IA, Lori Anderson, Tripoli, IA, and a brother Morris Ratliff, New Boston, MO.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, Iowa with Rev. Bob Solon officiating. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery, Aurora, IA, with military honors. Friends may call from 5 to 7 PM Friday at the funeral home.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warriors Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org