March 19, 1917 – May 9, 2023
at the age of 106 years:

      A celebration of Edna Ratliff will be held at Grace Bible Church – 5661 Silver Star Rd. Vernon B.C, on June 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Committal – Salem Cemetery Waldheim SK on June 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

Edna was born on a farm in Elbow, SK to Lorne Abrams and Lena (Miller) Abrams, the third of four children. Her father died shortly before she turned six and although they were poor she had a happy childhood. When Edna was seventeen a travelling evangelist held special meetings in her hometown. He preached John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave His only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. “ From then on her highest priority was to live for God and to serve Him wholeheartedly. After high school she attended Millar College in Pambrun SK for three years. It was there that she met her future husband Ed Ratzliff from Waldheim SK and married him after graduating.

Ed and Edna pioneered the Church of the Open Bible in Swift Current Sask. and eventually went as missionaries to Ethiopia with SIM. After the Second World War, the King of Ethiopia welcomed missionaries to start medical clinics and schools to help educate his people and he would then allow freedom of religion. So, with three young children, Bob, Dennis, and Ruth, they headed to the remote and mountainous region of southern Ethiopia. Their fourth child, Eunice, was born four years later in Addis Ababa. They served with SIM for twenty-nine years.

They eventually moved to Vancouver Island and were involved in camp ministry at Camp Qwanoes. They retired in Abbotsford and after Ed’s death in 2006, Edna moved to Vernon B.C. to reside near her daughter Eunice and husband Larry Woelke.

Edna had 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 1 great, great-grandchild, with another to arrive this month. And the legacy goes on.

Edna lived a rich and inspiring life influencing many as a public speaker and teacher. One of her greatest joys during her 80’s and 90’s was teaching women in Bible Studies. Even at the age of 106 she had a keen mind, was a voracious reader and was still walking daily. Edna was an amazing and memorable lady. She was strong minded, spunky, vivacious, classy, and lived out her Christian faith to the very end. She walked into the hospital 19 days prior to her passing and after she was told she had a serious case of pneumonia, she told the doctor, ”I want to go to heaven. I have lived long enough!” When hospice was discussed with her, she said she would like that, but really didn’t know what they did there. The doctor asked, with amusement, “What would you LIKE to do there?” and she answered with enthusiasm, “I would like to read!” In reality, Edna struggled with very poor eyesight, she had difficulty hearing and life was becoming increasingly difficult for her. She remained a blessing to many around her to the very end. She will be missed.

A celebration of Edna Ratliff will be held at Grace Bible Church – 5661 Silver Star Rd. Vernon B.C,
on June 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Committal – Salem Cemetery Waldheim SK on June 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.