Muriel A. Ratka

muriel ratka
Muriel Ratka, age 75 of New Hampton, IA died on Sunday, February 8, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. Muriel Anne (Grove) Ratka was born on October 17, 1933 to Laurence and Ella (Sharley) Grove in New Hampton. She attended school in New Hampton and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1951. After her graduation Muriel moved to Des Moines and worked for Younkers Department Store as a clerk. On April 12, 1953, Muriel was united in marriage to Richard E. Ratka at the Congregational United Church of Christ in New Hampton. The couple eventually settled in Charles City, IA where she was employed by Sperry Transportation Company and later was employed at First Security Bank and Trust until her retirement. Muriel enjoyed playing cards, cooking, sports, reading, going to casinos and especially spending time with her friends and family. Muriel was very involved with the Carnegie Cultural Center in New Hampton and volunteered at the local food shelf. She was an active member of Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City. Muriel is survived by her two children Richard (Linda Jorgensen) Ratka Jr. and Anne (Dan) Heilman; three grandsons Andrew Ratka, Aaron Ratka and Ryan Heilman; two brothers Donald (Jane) Grove of Elkader, IA and David (Leah) Grove of Comstock, WI; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Richard Eugene Ratka Sr. on October 12, 2005. Cemetery: Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery at Charles City with Andrew Ratka, Aaron Ratka, Derek Collyard, David J. Grove, Tom Greiner, Ryan Heilman and Jay Grove serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers include Mike Montanez, Jeff Martsching, Randy Jones and Dave Cavanaugh. Visitation: Visitation will be 4:00-7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in New Hampton and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Service: Funeral services will be 10:30am on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City, IA (321 1st Ave.) with Pastor James Grabitske officiating.

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  1. I am truly, truly sorry for the loss of your beloved Mother and hope you find peace in knowing that she is at peace. Please know that I am here for you always. Much Love, Kathy and Family

  2. I send you my sympathy and extend my prayers in the loss of your mother. I enjoyed getting to know Muriel through emails and at our Grove family reunions these past few years. She is now home with her Lord and her beloved, Richard.

  3. All,
    Im sorry we were not there “to play one last card game”
    and take your quarters, and to give you a hug.
    * for the loss of your Mother.

    Love,
    Jeff, Jackie, Zachary, Lee,.& Brittany

  4. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a parent. I will be praying for peace and comfort for all of you. God Bless.

  5. Muriel was so devoted to the Carnegie Culture Center, so I am sending a fourty dollar memorial in her name.

    God be with you al.l Brothers Don and Dave Grove and their families as well as Rich’s family and Annie’s family.

  6. My Dear Annie, I feel I’ve come to know your mom through your wonderful stories and I know how much you will miss her. May those stories and memories sustain you in your loss, along with the love of all those close to you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  7. Richard and Anne – My deepest sympathy goes out to you on the loss of your mother. (A member of my family shared the link to your Mom’s obituary, where I learned that you lost your Dad in 2005. My belated sympathy.) As our Lord Jesus cried over the dead of Lazarus, take time to grieve, but not as those who are without hope. Our loss is your parent’s gain – victory in Christ, victory over frailty and death! The victory that is our hope.

  8. Richard and Anne – My deepest sympathy goes out to you on the loss of your mother. (A member of my family shared the link to your Mom’s obituary, where I learned that you lost your Dad in 2005. My belated sympathy.) As our Lord Jesus cried over the dead of Lazarus, take time to grieve, but not as those who are without hope. Our loss is your parent’s gain – victory in Christ, victory over frailty and death! The victory that is our hope.

  9. To Muriel’s family: I was very sad to read in today’s N.H. newspaper that Muriel died in Rochester on Sun. We had been emailing and I kept waiting for a reply to my last one. I knew about her serious health problems, but figured she would get through it okay. We were classmates and have enjoyed many times. Sara

  10. Anne
    Please accept our condolences. It is hard to lose a parent and you have lost both of yours in such a short time. We are sorry. You and your family will be remembered in our thoughts and prayers.

    Fran/Keith Oldham and The 7/J’s

  11. May God fill you with His grace at this time. Muriel was a good friend to my sister in Florida (
    Betty Ward Parker). I saw her at Betty’s 55th reunion in NH.

  12. Richard & Annie – so sorry to hear about the passing your mother. Our sincere sympathy for your loss. May God comfort you in this difficult time knowing today she is with Him.

  13. We were so sorry to here about your beloved mother and sister. Wish we were there to attend the services and to give you a hug. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you all. May she rest in peace.

  14. Deae Rich and Anne,

    We were so saddened to learn your mother passed away. We are shocked beyond measure! We have so enjoyed keeping in touch with Myrt the past 3+ years through email (Thanks Denise). Her last email to us was last Friday as she was preparing to go to Rochester. Our prayers and positive thoughts were not answered the way we wanted them to be, but we are comforted in knowing she is with her Lord and Savior, not to mention your dad. May all the wonderful memories of her sustain you through the difficult months ahead.

    Myrt was such a dear and so welcoming to us when we moved to Charles City in 1972. We will never forget your parents and the wonderful kindnesses they showed to us and others.

    Our deepest sympathies, Gail and John Boline

  15. I remember meeting Muriel at Cafe Latte. Muriel and Annie sat across the table from me. I cannot count the number of times that Annie and I have said “Muriel & Betty” – Betty being my mom. My blessings and love – Judy

  16. I remember the Ratka’s living down 6th Avenue and my little sisters, Madonna and Kari and myself would stop at their house for trick or treating. I remember Anne was friends with our older sister Sheila. Anne’s mom always had a smile and I just remember going to the house. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.


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