Memorial Services for V'Ona Carol Ratzlaff, 88 of Fairview, will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church of Fairview. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Friends may sign the register book at the funeral home.

V'Ona Carol Hendricks was born June 23, 1922 in the home of her parents, William E. and Dovey Faye (Thomas) Hendricks and was welcomed by a sister, Vera Ruth. For a short time, the family continued to reside in the Eagle City community until her father purchased a farm northwest of Okeene. Much to the delight of the Hendricks sisters, a brother, Carl Thomas, was added to the family in 1930.

V'Ona worked on the farm with her parents, doing chores such as gathering eggs and feeding pigs. V'Ona attended and graduated from Homestead Schools. On June 29, 1941, V'Ona became the bride of Marion L. Ratzlaff at the home of her parents. Marion was inducted in to the US Air Force and, as much as possible, V'Ona followed him on his assignments. While stationed at Fresno, California, Marion received his orders to report to Calcutta, India. V'Ona boarded a train and returned to Fairview where she sought employment and shared apartment housing with other wives of service men.

Upon military discharge, Marion and V'Ona made their home on the Ratzlaff family farm. In the pursuing years, the old farmhouse was remodeled to provide better accommodations for the growing family. Kristin was added to the family in 1948; Paul joined the family in 1951. V'Ona was selected the 1959 Mother of the Year for the United Methodist Church of Fairview. She often spoke of this honor. She and Marion were life-long members of the Fairview United Methodist Church; V'Ona taught Sunday school, was active in the women's activities, and valued friendships with her church family.

In the mid-70,'s the couple moved from the country and located on Sooner Drive in Fairview. Residing in town gave opportunity to enjoy the friendship of neighbors, decorate the house inside with art they collected and outside at Christmas lights, entertain friends in their home, spoil two cats, tackle the crossword puzzle from the morning paper on a daily basis, and place an OSU Cowboy in the yard on game days. Marion's love for flying kept V'Ona 'in the air' more than she ever dreamed; she was involved in the Fairview Flight Club, International Flying Farmers, and Oklahoma Flying Farmers, serving one year as Oklahoma Flying Farmer Queen. The couple held season tickets for OSU football and basketball and the Lyric Theatre. V'Ona often commented sports were Marion's thing and she just went along but she sure cheered enthusiastically for the Cowboys.

With declining health and Marion's death, V'Ona moved to assisted living at Trinity Place, The Commons, in Enid, Oklahoma. As her health further deteriorated, she moved back to her hometown, residing at the Fairview Fellowship Home until her death on October 26, 2010 at the age of 88.

Survivors include son, Paul Ratzlaff of Ninnekah, daughter Kristin and John Gosney, Jr. Fairview; grandchildren Nathan and Bobbi Ratzlaff of Purcell, Zak and Stepheny Ratzlaff of Moore, Katie Ratzlaff of Ninnekah, Andrea and Duane Harman, Tulsa, Lesli and Jason Downs, Sand Springs; great-grandchildren Madison Gosney-Goelz of Edmond, Halle Faye Harman and Nolton John Harman of Tulsa, Kale Wesley Downs and Lincoln John Downs of Sand Springs; sister-in-law Willadean Hendricks of Okeene, and nieces Dee and Shelby Jones, Patricia Loden and nephew Bill and Terry Hendricks.

V'Ona was preceded in death by her husband, of 65 years, Marion, her parents, a grandson, John W Gosney, III, her brother and sister.

Condolences may be made online at www.fairviewfuneralhomeinc.com .