Marcellus Ratajczak

Marcellus Walter Ratajczak, 81 of Sabin, MN passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, August 16, 2025, in his home.

Marcellus was born in Ivanhoe, MN on September 28, 1943, to Walter and Frances (Citterman) Ratajczak. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Ivanhoe High School.

In November of 1964 Marcellus married Sharon Mead in Canby, MN. He worked various jobs around Ivanhoe and even followed in his parents’ footsteps when he and others, including his wife, formed a band called The Drifters. Which Marcellus and Sharon were a part of for almost 30 years.

Marcellus and Sharon started a family and moved to Sabin in 1977. Marcellus went back to school at Moorhead Technical College for Electronics and accepted a position with Elders Communication before joining his brothers, Hank and Erv, at Therm Air Sales in Fargo, ND.

Marcellus enjoyed playing golf, bowling and taking camping trips with family and friends. His church community was extremely important to him, and he served the Lord and his church faithfully including being a part of the church choir, playing guitar and Cantoring for Mass. Most importantly, spending time hosting dinners and holidays with family was what made him most happy.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; children, Denise (Grant) Krause, Sue (Phil) Kern, Laurie (Mark Rickert) Schmitt, Missy (Duane) Howard, Jeremy (Amy) Ratajczak, Michael Ratajczak, and Sarah Ratajczak; 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; brother, Erv (Sue) Ratajczak; sister, Clara Sik; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Frances; brothers, Edward and Henry; and sister, Marian.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, Sabin, MN.

Visitation will continue on Saturday, August 23, from 10-11 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 at the church. A reception will be held at the Sabin Community Center immediately following the service.

Livestreams of both the Prayer Service and Mass will be available here on Marcellus' obituary page.

Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Moorhead, MN, leaving after lunch at 1:30pm.

His heart was overflowing with love. If he knew you, he loved you, and it was obvious to all who knew him that the joy of the Lord was within him.