Mary Fay Ratzlaff Walker
March 29, 1920 – May 8, 2021
Mary Fay Ratzlaff Walker passed from her earthly life on May 8, 2021.
She was born on March 29, 1920, to Evalyn and Rose Aldrich in Enid, Oklahoma. Upon graduation from Enid High School, she attended Enid Business College. After graduation, she went to work for Knox Refining Company as a bookkeeper, and later became the personal secretary to the owner, Mr. Charles E. Knox.
While attending Enid Business College, she met her future husband, Loyd Ratzlaff. They were married on October 26, 1941, and made their home in Enid. When the war broke out, Loyd was drafted into the Army Air Corps and sent to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He worked in the Finance Department. Mary joined him six months later. While there, she worked as a bookkeeper for O.P. Skaggs Grocery Store.
When the war ended, they moved back to Enid and later relocated to a farm near Dacoma, Oklahoma. Mary became the typical farmer’s wife–even learning to drive a truck and dump a load of wheat in the grain elevator.
By now, they had two beautiful daughters, Marilyn and Susan. They were active in church, and later, Mary became the choir director. While in Dacoma, she organized “The Choralettes,” a choral group including women from Dacoma, Alva, Hopeton, and Avard. They were invited to sing in all of the surrounding towns.
In 1962 they moved back to Enid. Mary spent many years perfecting her oil painting skills, which she continued for many years. She also enjoyed playing the piano and organ, as well as writing poetry. Her poetry was published numerous times in books and writing contests.
In 1987, she lost Loyd, her husband of 46 years. After living alone in Enid for several years, her daughters convinced her to move to Edmond, where she met and married Edwin W. Walker. At the time of her death, she was residing at the Veraden Senior Living Center.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Evalyn and Rose Aldrich, two brothers, Carl and Len Aldrich, and her husband, Loyd.
Survivors include Edwin W. Walker, daughters Marilyn Ratzlaff and Susan Ratzlaff Baker and husband Robert Baker, grandchildren, Jeff Baker, and wife LaRonda Johnson Baker and Wendy Baker Crews Bambico and husband, Dave Bambico. She had four great-grandchildren, Courtney and Avery Johnson, and Blake and Bailee Crews.
Mary’s faith was especially important to her. She was told many times during her 101 years what an inspiration she was to others. Her faith carried her to the end and was the inspiration for many of her poems.
The family wishes to thank Valir Hospice, including Matt, Gabby, and BG, for their loving care during Mary’s last days. A special thank you goes to Kathy from Excell Services and Mary for the blessings that they brought to her during this time.
A Celebration of Mary’s life will take place Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to health regulations. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.