Lisa Diane Bland Ratzke

Lisa Diane Bland Ratzke, 59, was born August 10th, 1958 in Bryan, Texas. Sadly, she passed away January 18th, 2018 in Lubbock, Texas. She was pre-deceased by her father, Bobby J Bland of Georgia, her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bruce Bland of Merkel, Texas and her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. A. S. McSwain of Bryan, Texas. She is survived by her three children: Sandra Pippin and husband James Pippin of Lubbock, Tx, Rebecca Brooks of Fort Worth, Tx and Aaron Ratzke of Lubbock, Tx and, her two grandchildren: Nathan and Nicholas Ratzke of Lubbock, Tx. She is also survived by her mother, Mary L. Bland of Fort Worth, and three siblings: Marsha Clark and husband Jerry Begej of Fort Worth, Bruce Bland and wife Vicki Bland of Alvin, Tx and Gay DeForde and husband Art DeForde of Fort Worth. Other family members include three nieces, two nephews and many greats.
Lisa spent her life dedicated to her family and her career. She grew up in Corpus Christi, where she graduated from Richard King High School. She went on to Texas A&M and got her degree in Education. She was a teacher for 12 years. Teaching was not her passion, but the law was. She made the decision to attend law school. She graduated with her law degree from Texas Tech in 1999. She followed this by opening her very own law practice in November, 1999 in Lubbock, TX, focusing on family law. She was so dedicated to her clients that she worked until the day of her passing. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was also loved and respected by her colleagues and her community. Her love for animals was un-waiving as well as was her stories of how she used to humorously torment her siblings growing up. She was full of laughter and brought joy to everyone that knew her. Her light will always shine through her family, friends and her clients. She will always be loved but deeply missed.