Violet M. Ratajczak, age 82, of Oshkosh, died Tuesday afternoon, May 13, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center. Born on December 17, 1931, in Oshkosh, the daughter of Harry L. and Marie (Schumacher) Schmude, Violet married Benjamin B. Ratajczak on February 8, 1974.
She was employed at Pluswood Corporation and Oshkosh Tanning Company before her retirement. Violet spent time at the Salvation Army as a child and later did a lot of volunteer work there. She loved to sing and was with the Tony Winters Orchestra for a time. Violet enjoyed collecting dolls, various knickknacks and Avon Collectables.
Survivors include two daughters, Connie Ehlert of Appleton and Susan Melhorn Tiffany of Oshkosh; grandchildren, Tracy Melhorn, Nathan Melhorn, Lori Ehlert, and Gina Ehlert; great-grandchildren, Keola Melhorn, Eli Ehlert, and Ethan Melhorn; and a brother, Leonard Schmude of Mountlake Terrace, Washington. Preceding Violet in death is her husband, Benjamin; a son, Daniel G. Melhorn Jr.; her twin brother, Donald Schmude, a brother, Oren Schmude; and a sister-in-law, Patricia Schmude.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 19, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in Seefeld Funeral Chapels, 1025 Oregon Street. Interment will take place in Lake View Memorial Cemetery. A time of visiting and sharing of memories will be held on Monday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel. The family would like to thank the staff (2nd floor unit) at Mercy Medical Center. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.seefeldfuneral.com.