Harland “Harley” Ratike

Obituary

Harland "Harley" Errol Ratike was born on May 30, 1931, in Fairmont, Minnesota. He was the son of Harry and Edna (Rasche) Ratike. Harley was baptized as an infant on June 7, 1931, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on March 25, 1945, both at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fraser Township, Martin County, Minnesota. He received his education at the parochial school in Northrop, Minnesota, and at the Martin Luther Academy in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Harley entered active military service in the United States Army on June 17, 1948, in Winona, Minnesota, and served his country during Peace-Time. He received an Honorable Discharge on May 16, 1952, at Fort Lee Virginia, and achieved the rank of Corporal.

On January 23, 1954, Harley was united in marriage to Rosaline Karau at Fieldon Trinity Lutheran Church in Lewisville, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with three children, Terry, Russell and Kim. Harley and Rosaline resided and farmed in rural Litchfield, Minnesota. They shared 62 years of marriage.

Harley was a farmer all his life and retired from farming in April of 1993. Harley was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Litchfield. He was also a member of Litchfield American Legion Post #104 and the Darwin Lions Club. Harley was past president of the St. Paul's Men's Club, and the Darwin Farmers Elevator.

Harley enjoyed traveling, playing cards and shaking dice with his buddies. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends.

Harley passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2016, at the Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield, Minnesota, at the age of 84 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Harley is survived by his:
Wife, Rosaline Ratike of Litchfield, MN;
Children, Russell Ratike and his wife, Lori of Darwin, MN,
Kim Pederson and her husband, Mark of Litchfield, MN;
Grandchildren; Robbie Pederson and his wife, Amy, Jake Pederson and his wife, Crystal, Cody Ratike and his wife, Dana, Luke Ratike and his fiancée, Aili Grytdahl, Andrea Wimmer and her husband, Brian;
Great Grandchildren; Charlie Mundt, Peyton Ratike, Wyatt Ratike, Landon Pederson, Lydia Pederson;
Brothers, Willard "Bill" Ratike of Hutchinson, MN,
Marvin "Butch" Ratike of Truman, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.

Harley is preceded in death by his Parents, Harry and Edna Ratike; Son, Terry Ratike, in infancy; Sisters, Ethel Petersen, Ardis Rasche.