Leo Ratz

Leo Robert Ratz, 83, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at Ecumen Memory Care Unit in Detroit Lakes, MN.  A celebration of Leo's life will be held 11 a.m., Friday, May 13, 2016, at the Vergas Event Center. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, May 12, 2016, at the Vergas United Methodist Church with a prayer service to take place at 7 p.m.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the event center on Friday.   Leo Robert Ratz was born on June 14, 1932, at his home in rural Vergas, MN, to Adolph and Bertha (Fehlauer) Ratz. Leo married Sharon Plackner on December 5, 1964, and the couple had 3 children: Jeffrey, Gregory and Jennifer.  Leo was a third generation farmer. He drove tractor, milked cows and worked the fields since the day he could remember.  He loved his life on the farm from the baby calves he helped deliver, the cows he milked, the land he worked and the beautiful crops he harvested with his father, brother, sons, and grandsons.  His only time away from his farm life was when he was drafted into the United States Army on November 16, 1955.  He was active duty, serving two years at Fort Polk, Louisiana working as a motor vehicle mechanic.  Following his honorable discharge, he returned home to the place that he loved, the Ratz family farm.  During Leo's years of farming and retirement, he restored Farmall tractors. For many years, he tractor pulled with his sons and grandsons and enjoyed every minute of it.  Leo and Sharon loved Sunday outings with their daughter, Jennifer and her family.  Leo loved to travel with his wife, Sharon.  They traveled a majority of the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska.  Leo is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children: Jeff (Lisa), Greg (Jill), and Jennifer (Barry); 10 grandchildren: Isaac, Lacey, Keshia, Kaley, Benjamin, Erica, Kasey, Brianna, Katie and Kelsey; 5 great grandchildren; along with a brother, John and a sister, Jean.  Preceding Leo in death are his parents, Adolph and Bertha Ratz; brother, Roger; sister, Alice; along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.