Obituary of Terresa M. Ratzlaff

Teri Bedwell Ratzlaff 1959-2012 Teri was born in Martindale, Mont. until the age of six she lived in Big Fork, Mont. She started first grade at Heyburn Elementary in St. Maries. She was graduated from St. Maries High School with honors in 1978/ After high school, Teri enlisted in the Air Force National Guard and served for three years. Teri was a talented writer and artist. She enjoyed writing poems and short stories, and creating oil paintings of landscapes. She also played the piano. She loved Rod Stewart and his music, and knew most of his songs. She had a large collection of donkey figurines. She also raised and rode horses on her small ranch. In 1978 she married James Peter Ratzlaff. They were later divorced. Two children were born of this marriage, Levi and Avri. Teri was stricken with brain cancer in 1988. She managed to have a few good years and get her children through high school. Avri read one of her poems at his eighth grade graduation celebration, Literary Lemonade. Teri had a wry sense of humor and could get fired up in a hurry. She spent her last years at Valley Vista Care Center in St. Maries where she had many friends. Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Levi and Laura Ratzlaff of Rathdrum and Avri and Janelle Ratzlaff of Sedro Woolley, Wash.; her siblings and their spouses, Maridean and Larry Weinmann of Deary; Wade and Denise Bedwell of Poulsbo, Wash.; Jake Bedwell of St. Maries; and her mother, Gloria Bedwell. Teri is also survived by five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Daniel B Read Terresa Ratzlaff's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.