Mildred Katheryn Ratliff

July 27, 1914 - November 18, 2016

Mildred Katheryn Ratliff, 102, passed peacefully on to her heavenly home on November 18, in Goshen, Indiana. She was a resident at Tender Care Elderly Boarding for 2 years, living with her sister, Goldie, who also passed away at age 102. Mrs. Ratliff was born July 27, 1914 in Brewster, Nebraska to John and Rose Parkhurst. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Ratliff, 4 sisters and a brother, an infant son and nephew Gary Ratliff. She is survived by her son, Art, of Rocky Ford and a daughter, Barbara Henderson, of Anderson, Indiana, 2 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, great-nieces Lisa Carter and Judy Brizendine of Rocky Ford and several other nieces and nephews. Mrs. Ratliff moved with her family to Blanca, Colorado in 1918, attended schools there and then graduated from Adams State Teacher's College, Alamosa, in 1936. She moved to Rocky Ford in 1937 to live with an aunt and met her future husband, Ray Ratliff, at a church gathering. Mrs. Ratliff began her teaching career in Rocky Ford in 1938 under a contract that stipulated termination if women were to marry. She and Ray were married in 1940 and she was forced to find employment in nearby schools—Newdale and Vroman. By the time Ray was sent to Europe during World War II the school district had changed the policy and she returned to the system and taught for 33 years until her retirement in 1978. She continued to volunteer at Washington Elementary, always available for children who needed extra help. She was active in the Arkansas Valley Retired School Employees Association, serving as vice-president and membership chair. In 1991 Mrs. Ratliff was given an award for "Service to Children", sponsored by the Phi chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma professional education society. In 2004 she was honored as "Pioneer Woman of the Year", sponsored by Pioneer Health Care. Mrs. Ratliff traveled extensively until her health began to fail at 96. She attended various Elder Hostels with her sisters, cruised to Hawaii and Alaska and spent time with family in Florida, California, New Mexico and Indiana. Her most memorable trip was to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II memorial with a group of veterans from Indiana. She contributed to the foundation for many years in honor of her husband's service in World War II. Mrs. Ratliff will always be remembered for her kindness and willingness to be of service to others. She delivered meals-on-wheels well into her 80's and was always ready to give of her time or money to help those in need. Mrs. Ratliff was committed to various conservative causes and wanted her legacy to include "doing all she could so that future generations might live in a world where family and religious values reign supreme." She was committed to "keeping our country centered on the motto upon which our country was founded—"In God We Trust." She was a charter member of the First Church of God, serving in various capacities through the years. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 28, 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Rocky Ford. Interment will follow at Rocky Ford Cemetery. Local arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.

SERVICES

Funeral Service

Monday, November 28, 2016 11:00 AM

First United Methodist Church

301 W. Washington

Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067

Committal Service

Monday, November 28, 2016 12:00 PM

Valley View Cemetery - Rocky Ford

27980 Cnty Rd. 20

Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067