Gordon RATZ

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RATZ: Gordon Leslie: October 3, 1927 - May 4, 2012. Gordon peacefully passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre Palliative Care Unit on Friday, May 4, 2012 after a brief but courageous battle with leukemia with his family by his side. Born on the Ratz family farm four miles south west of Margaret, Manitoba to Edward and Sophia (Prueter) Ratz, Gordon was the second youngest child. Predeceased by his father in 1950, first wife Eileen in 1974 and mother in 1975 as well as brothers Harvey, John, Ken and sisters Betty and Dorothy; Gordon is survived by his present wife Evelyn, sister Ethel Clark, six stepchildren and their extended families. Gordon spent his childhood years on the family farm where he attended Alcester, Riverside and Daly Union Schools until he was age sixteen. It was at that time that he farmed at home with his dad and brothers until 1968 when he left to work away from home. Over Gordon's working years he had several jobs that included driving fuel trucks, working at the feed plant and in various wood working related businesses, spending his last twelve years as maintenance personnel for the provincial government where he retired at age 65. Gordon was married to his first wife Eileen until her time of passing and later went on to marry Evelyn (Gratton) in 1979 where the two of them spent many happy years in Brandon. Gord took on the huge undertaking of building his own home with the help of a few close friends and he lovingly referred to it as the "Ratz nest." In their retirement years Gordon and Evelyn enjoyed two trips to Hawaii, one to Ontario and many trips to Alberta and B.C. to visit family and friends. Gord loved his fishing, lakeside cottage life, curling and the odd golf game. He loved to watch a game of baseball or curling on T.V. and was an armchair professional at both. Gordon was very famous amongst his family and friends for his prime rib roast of beef - no one will ever be able to match it! Gordon loved to spend many hours in his garden and when it came to growing tomatoes Gordie took the prize! He was a quiet spoken, loving and dedicated man but if there was a topic to debate he could hold up his end with a respected opinion. Gordon belonged to the Royal Canadian Legion and the Army and Navy Clubs where he had many great friends over the years. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him and never forgotten. The Funeral Service was held at Memories Chapel on Friday, May 11, 2012. Rev. Glenna Beauchamp officiated. Interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Gordon may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation - Palliative Care, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 12, 2012