Elmer Bernard "Bernie" Ratzlaff, 87, a carpenter and military veteran who loved the outdoors, died on January 16, 2018 in Bowman, North Dakota.

Born May 18, 1930, Bernie was one of four children by Benjamin and Marie Ratzlaff of Henderson, Nebraska. Bernie graduated from High School in 1949 in Polk, Nebraska. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951, working as an aircraft mechanic. During the Korean War, he labored on Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" strategic bombers.

In 1954, Bernie married Marilyn Misner. The couple had three children: Terrilyn, Kirk and Kathleen. Terrilyn and Kirk were born in Henderson, Nebraska. Kathleen was born in Ft. Collins, Colorado. During these years, Bernie worked as a carpenter and built the family's Ft. Collins home, a ranch-style wood house. They moved to Loveland, Colorado, for his work and built a split-level home where the children were raised.

In 1986, Marilyn died of ALS. Two years later, Bernie married Ruth Melby, whose spouse had also died. Although Bernie and Ruth met in Loveland, Colorado, the couple soon moved to Colorado's Western Slope, not far from the San Juan Mountains. In Montrose, Bernie again constructed a home for his family.

In his free time, Bernie and Ruth also enjoyed annual trips with the Mile High Jeep Club, driving one of his classic vehicles ('47 Jeep or '73 Bronco) into the mountains and camping with his family. Bernie excelled at building campfires.

In addition to carpentry, Bernie also worked in facility maintenance at IBM. He always enjoyed entertaining relatives that came to visit in Colorado. But if family couldn't visit him, he would go visit them and tried to be at all the family celebrations.

In 2014, Bernie and Ruth moved to Hettinger, North Dakota. During the last three years of his life, he was cared for by Southwest Health Care Services in Bowman, North Dakota. He died of complications from pneumonia.

Survivors include wife Ruth Ratzlaff, of Hettinger, North Dakota; sister Lenora (Clyde) Goertzen; children Terrilyn (Robb) Bryant, Kirk Ratzlaff and Kathleen (Mike) Zimmerman; step-children Todd (Diane) Melby, Steve (Adrienne) Melby, and Gina (John) Joyce; grandchildren Tyler (Michelle), Matthew, Christine, Jessie (Kyle), Danielle (Johnny), Dillon, Jacob, Zachary, Kurtis, Amanda (Bryan), Josh, Kristen (Tate), Matthew, Alia, Shannon (Cory), Tyler (Joelle), and John (Celina); 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-laws Mary Ratzlaff, Floy Olson, Loraine Kennedy; brother-in-law John (Carol) Olson; and multiple nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn, his parents, Benjamin and Marie Ratzlaff, brother Bill Ratzlaff, sister Leona Peters and nephews Bruce Ratzlaff and Todd Peters.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 21 at 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Hettinger, North Dakota.