Obituary of Victor Ratzlaff

Victor Lewis Reginald Ratzlaff passed away at the St. Joseph's Hospital, Gravelbourg, SK, at the age of 80, on August 20, 2017, with family at his side. Vic was born on April 18, 1937, at Neeb, Saskatchewan and grew up in St. Boswells. In his early years, he worked for local farmers, as a bellhop in Moose Jaw and went on to earn his journeyman carpentry’s license in Saskatoon. On August 10, 1959, he married the love of his life Aline Deaust. They were blessed with four children; Robert, Annette, Ray and Jeanette. Vic started his construction career with Jacob’s Construction of Gravelbourg. In 1963, the family moved to Stockholm, SK when Vic was working on the construction of the Esterhazy Potash Mine. Then, from 1971 to 1973, Vic was the foreman of a trailer factory in Wetaskiwin, AB. When living in Stockholm & Wetaskiwin, the family enjoyed coming to Gravelbourg to spend time with relatives. In 1977, Vic, Aline and the kids moved back to Gravelbourg. Vic and his two sons Robert and Ray worked together building seed cleaning plants. For the remainder of Vic’s career, he was employed with CVS Engineering of Calgary. He worked all over Alberta and Saskatchewan, retiring in 2001. Vic enjoyed dancing until the wee hours of the morning, playing cards, curling, early AM fishing and coffeeing with the "The Knights of the Round Table.” He truly loved his children and grandchildren; he cherished spending time with them. In the early 80's Vic bought a boat and great fun was had with his children, his nieces and nephews and the Jacobs Kids, water skiing and boating at Round Lake. He taught them how to fish, hunt, to make sausage, the value of hard work and couldn’t wait for them to come for Happy Hour. He was their number one fan and loved attending baseball and hockey games. If they were participating, he was part of the action. To quote Vic, " If I knew Grandkids were this much fun, I would have had them first!" Victor is survived by his wife Aline; son Robert (Barb) Ratzlaff, grandson Justin (Kristina) Ratzlaff, great grandchildren Elizabeth, Benjamin, Brayden, grandson Michael (Kirsten) Ratzlaff, great granddaughter Ivy, grandson Kelly Ratzlaff; daughter Annette L’Heureux, grandson Daniel L’Heureux, great grandchildren Noah, Jacob, Gretta, grandson David L’Heureux (Sarah), grandson Jason L’Heureux; son Ray (Lisa) Ratzlaff, granddaughter Jenna-Rae Ratzlaff (Carter), grandson Derek Ratzlaff; daughter Jeanette (Al) Strieb, granddaughter Santana (Gabriel) Pinsonneault, granddaughter Brandi Strieb; brother Dale (Ruth) Ratzlaff; sisters Gaynor Cloutier and Pat Ratzloff. He predeceased by sister Lois (Gus) Peterson; brothers-in-law Paul Cloutier and Cliff Ratzloff. A Family Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at Piché-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapel, Gravelbourg, SK., with Sam Hawkins officiating. The soloist was Elizabeth Ratzlaff. The Urn Bearer was Michael Ratzlaff. Interment took place at the columbarium in the Gravelbourg Roman Catholic Cemetery. Donations in Vic's memory to the Foyer d'Youville were greatly appreciated