Bertha (Huisinga) RATCLIFF

RATCLIFF, HUISINGA, BIGE, MCINTYRE, HILL, WEPEL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/15/2014 at 14:42:11

October 3, 1884 ---- November 26, 1951

Mrs. C. H. Ratcliff, 67, died at 2:30 a.m. today [November 26] at the Hamilton county hospital where she had been a patient since Nov. 1. She had been in poor health the past two years. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Foster funeral home with the Rev. J. A. Farnham officiating and with burial in Graceland cemetery.

Bertha Huisinga, daughter of John H. and Gertie Huisinga, was born Oct. 3, 1884, in Wymeer, Germany. She was eight years old when she came with her parents to the United States and located on a farm near Kamrar. She was reared and educated in that community. She was united in marriage March 14, 1903 to Charles H. Ratcliff, and the couple farmed in the Saratoga community for 12 years. The family then moved to a farm near Kamrar, living there for two years, then moving to Wall Lake township for two years before starting to farm in Independence township. Three years later they moved to another farm in the Oak Glen community in Cass township and resided there until June 4, 1951, retiring then and moving into Webster City. They had resided at 1411 Division street since that time.

She is survived by her husband, three daughters and four sons: Mrs. Martin (Ida) Bige of Woolstock; Mrs. Ivan (Leona) McIntyre, Long Beach, Calif.; Mrs. William (Betty) Hill of Webster City; John and Gerald Ratcliff of Webster City; Jake Ratcliff of Eagle Grove and Donald of Woolstock. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. H. H. Wepel of Webster City and a number of nieces of nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, two sisters and two grandchildren. She was baptized and confirmed in the Reformed Lutheran church in Germany and attended the Oak Glen church in Cass township and was a member of the Oak Glen Neighbors aid. A loving wife and mother, her family and home were always her main interest in life.

Daily Freeman Journal - Webster City, Iowa
November 1951