Sharon Ratz

Sharon Faye Ratz, age 73, passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, November 4, 2018, at Diamond Willow in Detroit Lakes, MN.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held 11 a.m., Friday, November 9, 2018, at the Vergas Event Center. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, November 8, 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. Furey Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Sharon Faye Plackner was born on February 11, 1945, in Perham, MN, to John and Mary (Flynn) Plackner. She was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church. She grew up in Frazee where she attended school graduating with the class of 1963. Sharon married Leo Ratz on December 5, 1964, and the couple had 3 children: Jeffrey, Gregory and Jennifer.

After raising her children, Sharon worked at the Vergas Senior Citizen Nutrition Center in Vergas, Frazee Care Center and Vergas Assisted Living until her retirement in 2013. Sharon loved her husband and children dearly; her legacy of love will forever live on in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family gatherings were very important to Sharon as she loved having all the family together for every reason possible; a hug hello and a hug goodbye were an absolute must for every occasion. Sharon wanted every family member to know how important they were and how big her love was for them.

Sharon and Leo loved to travel and visited the majority of the United States with Alaska and Hawaii being the destination favorites. She enjoyed making baby blankets, graduation quilts, and porcelain dolls dedicated to each grandchild. Sharon was a devoted Grandma making it a priority to attend every sporting event and school activity. She spent time sewing, crocheting, knitting and baking. Sharon’s holiday treats will forever be remembered.

Sharon is survived by her children: Jeff (Lisa), Greg (Jill), and Jennifer (Barry); 10 grandchildren: Isaac (Alissa), Lacey (Jake), Keshia (John), Kaley (Charles), Benjamin (Ashley), Erica, Kasey (Tori), Brianna (Ryan), Katie and Kelsey (Dean); 10 great grandchildren: Elsie, Addison, Caleb, Asa, Keaton, Gage, McKenna, Lydia, Cora and Kysen. Two sisters: Donna Holmer and Betty Holmer. Along with her childhood friend: Kathy Wouters.

Preceding Sharon in death are her husband, Leo; her parents, John and Mary; along with one sister: LuVerne Hansen.