Jack Ratcliff

Jack A. Ratcliff, age 72, of Sauk Centre, died Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the St. Michael's Hospital in Sauk Centre.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre with Rev. Sylvester Kleinschmidt officiating. Military honors provided by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard following the service. Interment will be at MN State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls following a lunch.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home in Sauk Centre.

Jack Ratcliff was born January 29, 1937 in Verndale, MN to Clarence and Myrtle (Twait) Ratcliff. Jack graduated in 1955 from Long Prairie High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 until June 12, 1962. On May 25, 1963 he married LaVonne "Vonnie" Essler at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Jack was a U.S. Mail contractor and later drove truck for International Transport until 1982. He then went into business with a partner at Lifeline Express until he retired in Sauk Centre in November of 1999. Jack also worked as a dispatcher for Wagner Trucking from June 2001 until February 2004. He was a member of the American Legion Post 67. He enjoyed having coffee with his buddies at the Ding Dong, visiting Tony at the Barber Shop, and watching all sports with his dog, Cassie. Jack also enjoyed ocean fishing when he lived in California.

Survivors include his wife, LaVonne "Vonnie" Ratcliff of Sauk Centre; brother, Jerry (Karen) Ratcliff of Fridley; brother-in-law, Jerry Dahlke of Hammond, WI; and five nieces and nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Beverly "Bev" Dahlke. Serving as casket bearers will be Tony Felling, Allie Hoeschen, Steve Haskamp, Dave Huot, Jerry Christopherson, and Jerry Marthaler.

Serving as cross bearer will be Pam Klein and scripture bearer will be Sally Fiddler.