Donna Marlene (Mort) Ratzlaff

Donna Marlene (Mort) Ratzlaff was born Sept. 14, 1936, in Manitou Springs, Colo., the daughter of the Rev. Gilbert and Bernice Mort. She passed from this life to a joyous eternal reward on Sept. 20, 2008 in North Pole, at the age of 72 years and six days. Her death was unexpected — caused by a blood clot in her lungs after her recent knee surgery.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Hilltop Assembly of God Church in Houston. A second memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Jubilee Worship Center in Fairbanks.

She married Levi Charles Ratzlaff on Oct, 17, 1958 in Faribault, Minn. Though a few weeks early, Levi and Marlene celebrated their 50th anniversary in early August, with a gathering of friends and family and several days of meaningful, family celebration.

She is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Levi Ratzlaff, of North Pole; sons Gary (Monique) of Wasilla and Greg (Brenda) of North Pole; daughter Rochelle (Rev. JR) Markle of Fairbanks; grandchildren Rachel (Luther) Howe, Rebekah Ratzlaff, Amilynn Luther, Rachael Ratzlaff, Sarah Luther, Kirstin Markle, Zachaery Ratzlaff, Sean Markle and Alicia Markle; and three great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by sisters Glenda (James) McKim of Melrose Park, Ill., and Coleen (Rev. Larry) Griswold of Carlinville, Ill.; one aunt; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as a host of other friends.

She served her Lord Jesus faithfully, offering her talents and time wherever needed, her family wrote. She had a loving, giving, servant heart. To many, she was known as an encourager, prayer partner, listening ear, helper, mom/grandmother, friend.

The family said Marlene and Levi are known for their generous spirit and for opening their home to those in need. They were involved with foster care and became family for 19 children/teens. She loved being a member of the Women’s Aglow Fellowship and served as president for the Mat-Valley chapter in the early 1980s and then became treasurer for the state board.

“A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, her real full time job and passion was ministry to her family,” her family wrote. “The title ‘grandmother’ was the crowning achievement of her life journey.”

A graduate of then Mankato State College (Minn.), she was a schoolteacher and filled a variety of other roles and vocations. At the time of her death, she was serving as a full-time volunteer at KJNP, a Christian radio and television ministry in Alaska.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to KJNP, P.O. Box 56359, North Pole, AK, 99705.