Betty Ratcliff
Betty Ratcliff
(March 30, 1928 – October 26, 2011)
Betty Jean Ratcliff
Betty Ratcliff, 83 of Grinnell passed away Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at the Mayflower Care Center in Grinnell. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the Lynnville Friends Church with Pastor Doug Smiley officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Interment will be held in the Friends Cemetery in Lynnville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lynnville Friends Cemetery.
Betty Jean Ratcliff was born on March 30, 1928 to Clearance and Rufinia (Cook) Baldwin in Newton, Iowa. Betty had two older siblings Roger and Lois and one younger sibling Marian. They lived on a farm near Kellogg and Betty attended country school. She eventually attended Newton high school and graduated in 1946. Betty worked at Newton Manufacturing for a few years before she was married. On September 1, 1948, Betty was united in marriage to the love of her life, Ross Ratcliff. To this union one son was born, Gary Duane. After Ross returned home from serving in the Korean War, the family resided in a small farm home near Ross’ parents. She was a lifetime farmer and continued interest in farming long after her husband Ross passed away on November 7, 1998. Betty always had a large garden and enjoyed working outside. She loved Gospel music and attending the State Fair. Betty was involved in the farm activities, Sunday school teacher, serving in other ways at the Lynnville Friends Church including over site of the Lynnville Friends Cemetery. Betty was also a news correspondent for the Lynnville area in the Grinnell Herald and the Newton Daily News. Betty was a member of the Lynnville Friends Church and the Center Friends Church.
Betty is survived by her son, Gary (Carol) Ratcliff of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; a granddaughter, Carrie Ratcliff of Omaha, NE; her sister Marian (Ron) Wheeler of Marion, Iowa and a sister-in-law Evelyn Baldwin of Rock Rapids, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ross, her sister Lois, her brother Roger and other family members.
