Elizabeth "Betty" Ratzlaff

Elizabeth (Betty) Jean (Falvey) Ratzlaff, 82, Fargo, passed away on January 16, 2009 at Palliative Care, Fargo. Betty was born on August 20, 1926 to Thomas and Martha Falvey in Sanborn, ND. She grew up in Valley City and graduated from St. Catherine?s High School in 1944. She began work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company where she worked until her retirement in 1982. On June 28, 1951 she married William (Bill) Ratzlaff in Valley City where they lived until 1953 when they moved to Grand Forks. In 1982, they moved to Fargo. Betty was with her husband Bill the original Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, a program sponsored by the Telephone Pioneers at St. Lukes/MeritCare Hospital. That tradition is carried on to the present days. She was a member of Eagle?s Club in Valley City, N.D., Telephone Pioneers of America, and life member of the Communications Workers of America. She is survived by two children, William (Gina) Ratzlaff of Minnetonka, MN; Sandra ?Sam Eukel? (George) Mina, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii; two grandchildren, Tammy (Johnson) Bachman; Ryan (Angel) Johnson; two great grandchildren Jadyn Bachman and Kelsi Johnson, sisters Mary Sende, Blaine, MN and Cassie Larson, St. Paul, MN; and numerous nephews, nieces, and in-law relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, by her parents, her sister Dorothy, and great grandson Walker William. The funeral for Betty will be on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary?s Cathedral. There will be a Rosary on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Boulger Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Boulger Funeral Home and one hour before the funeral in the church. Interment will be Thursday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.