Elaine Darlene Ratz

76 of Crystal Lake, Illinois passed away on August 18, 2023 in Barrington, Illinois. Arrangements by Journey Cremations in Barrington, Illinois. Mom gave us one job: watch her fanny pack while she was in the rehab center for physical therapy. Mom always said her life was in her fanny pack… and we lost her fanny pack on August 18th, 2023. In our defense, she never said which fanny pack held her life in it at the time… she had so many fanny packs! Was her life in the cow shaped one? In the blinding yellow one? In the obnoxious bedazzled one? Knowing mom, it was probably in the free fanny pack she got with her Costco membership… because the others were only for “special” occasions. If her life really was in her fanny pack, then that explains why it was always busting at the seams… her life was packed full of faith, love, struggles, humor, tears, and joy. But maybe her fanny pack was just crammed full of condiment packets from Cracker Barrel that she insisted came with the meal? We may never know since we never dared to “rummage” through it. Elaine Darlene Ratz (Slack) saw God’s promise in Matthew 5:8 fulfilled upon her passing on August 18, 2023. Our mom had the purest, most gentle heart. She loved without judgement and forgave without hesitation. Her wit brought us many smiles and her shoulder soaked up many of our tears. She was humble… always grateful to the Lord for his redeeming grace. We were blessed with the perfect (for us) wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved so deeply and was loved so deeply. We know, Mom… we aren’t saying goodbye… just see you later. Please join us on Sept 23, 2023 at 10am at The Pointe Outreach Center in Crystal Lake, IL for a celebration of mom’s life. Lunch will be provided… and if you’re wearing a fanny pack, feel free to take as many condiments you want in her memory.