Clifford Ratzlaff

Clifford Sam Ratzlaff, 91 year old resident of Little Falls, passed away on Sunday, October 6 at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls. A Celebration of Cliff's life is being planned for Wednesday, October 16 at 11:00 A.M. A visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 A.M. at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls. The burial will be held at Darling Cemetery near Little Falls.

Clifford Sam Ratzlaff was born on April 11, 1933 in Freeman, South Dakota to the late Sam and Magdalena (Lang) Ratzlaff. He grew up and attended school in Freeman, South Dakota and was an excellent basketball player along with his brothers. After completing his schooling, Cliff moved to Chicago, where he worked for a short in VA Hospital as a CNA. He met his first wife, Shirley while working in Chicago. The couple was united in marriage and were blessed with three children, Kathy, Charmain and Dallas. The family made their home in Morrison County, Minnesota for several years. Cliff was united in marriage to Dorothy Lindquist on January 24, 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillman. Throughout his life, Cliff worked in the agriculture, logging and scrap iron businesses. Cliff enjoyed collecting tractors, wood working, working in his shop, building replica barns, attending thrashing shows, horses, gardening, canning, baking and going for rides in the country. He treasured his time spent with his grandchildren. Cliff will be remembered as very kind and generous man.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Dorothy Ratzlaff; children, Kathy (Allen) Larsen, Charmain (Randy) Kovalvk, Dallas Ratzlaff; grandchildren, Brandon, Ricky, Troy, Brandon, Nick, Nicole and David; great-grandchildren, Kenyon, Megan, Jennifer, Yuri, Elias, Jael, Caspian, Locksley and sisters, Margie (Ratzlaff) Benson, Debbie (Ratzlaff) Dague.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Magdalena; first wife, Shirley Ratzlaff; second wife, Mary Ann Bartlett; sisters, Rosella Hespe, Delila Seifert; brothers, Elias Ratzlaff, Melvin Ratzlaff and Simon Ratzlaff and nephews, Sam Ratzlaff and Stewart Hespe.

Emblom Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of Clifford.