Obituary for Jeanette Marlene Sowers (Ratzlaff)
Jeanette Marlene Ratzlaff Sowers was born on June 9, 1939, to Rachel Amanda (Goertz) and Abram Ratzlaff. At a young age she began her close relationship with Jesus. On April 9, 2022, at the age of 82, she went to be with Him and many others, whom she knew and loved.
Jeanette was raised in a Mennonite community near Hillsboro/Goessel, KS, to which she acquired a Low German dialect which she used frequently throughout her life, then relocated to Western Kansas in 1949. She attended school in Monument, as well as two years in Christian Academy in Enid, OK. Secretarial classes were attended, at a Vo-tech school, after which she worked in the Colby Hospital and at Caldwells. She excelled in bookkeeping and sewing skills; competitively played volleyball and ping pong; had a love for clothes and shoes evidenced by remembering every outfit that she wore for special occasions throughout her life; played piano (by ear) and harmonized with different singing groups. Jeanette adored her family, and they will miss her caring ways and vying game playing.
She was married to James Dwight Sowers on November 22, 1959, for 51 years until his death April 6, 2011, and they lived on a farm south of Halford, KS, where he had been born. Together they had eight children: Sonja (Robert) Wimer of Trenton, MO, James Vyrl of Colby, KS, the late Yvonne J., Julie (Marshall) Rhea of Oakley, KS, Jason (Angela), of Oakley, KS, Justin of Colby, KS, Joel (Becca) of Colby, KS, and Janelle (A. Dee) Elliott of Lindsborg, KS. Seventeen grandchildren: Laramy, the late Indy, Ilana, and Riley Raymo; Jody, the late Jance Kruse, and Jade (Caleb) Foos; Brittany, Cheyanne (Nathan) Stevenson, Destiny, Ember, Fallon, and Gelica Sowers; Kaylyn and Haven Sowers; Ava and Aryia Elliot and seven great grandchildren: Canyon and Craylee Foos; Slade, Dixie, and Klancy Kruse; Dakota, Laine (and another one on the way) Stevenson also came from this union. She had one brother, the late James W. Ratzlaff. Two sisters, Elaine Becker of Eugene OR and Imogene (Jeanie) Berg of Newton KS, also remain, as well as many in-laws and neighbors.
In honor of her love for children, contributions to the Pro-Life Fight or the Child Trafficking War. No services are scheduled. Jeanette was buried in the family cemetery.
Jeanette was raised in a Mennonite community near Hillsboro/Goessel, KS, to which she acquired a Low German dialect which she used frequently throughout her life, then relocated to Western Kansas in 1949. She attended school in Monument, as well as two years in Christian Academy in Enid, OK. Secretarial classes were attended, at a Vo-tech school, after which she worked in the Colby Hospital and at Caldwells. She excelled in bookkeeping and sewing skills; competitively played volleyball and ping pong; had a love for clothes and shoes evidenced by remembering every outfit that she wore for special occasions throughout her life; played piano (by ear) and harmonized with different singing groups. Jeanette adored her family, and they will miss her caring ways and vying game playing.
She was married to James Dwight Sowers on November 22, 1959, for 51 years until his death April 6, 2011, and they lived on a farm south of Halford, KS, where he had been born. Together they had eight children: Sonja (Robert) Wimer of Trenton, MO, James Vyrl of Colby, KS, the late Yvonne J., Julie (Marshall) Rhea of Oakley, KS, Jason (Angela), of Oakley, KS, Justin of Colby, KS, Joel (Becca) of Colby, KS, and Janelle (A. Dee) Elliott of Lindsborg, KS. Seventeen grandchildren: Laramy, the late Indy, Ilana, and Riley Raymo; Jody, the late Jance Kruse, and Jade (Caleb) Foos; Brittany, Cheyanne (Nathan) Stevenson, Destiny, Ember, Fallon, and Gelica Sowers; Kaylyn and Haven Sowers; Ava and Aryia Elliot and seven great grandchildren: Canyon and Craylee Foos; Slade, Dixie, and Klancy Kruse; Dakota, Laine (and another one on the way) Stevenson also came from this union. She had one brother, the late James W. Ratzlaff. Two sisters, Elaine Becker of Eugene OR and Imogene (Jeanie) Berg of Newton KS, also remain, as well as many in-laws and neighbors.
In honor of her love for children, contributions to the Pro-Life Fight or the Child Trafficking War. No services are scheduled. Jeanette was buried in the family cemetery.