Obituary of Lydia Ratcliff

Lydia Ratcliff, age 77, of Fort Atkinson, WI passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at the Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Lydia was born in Media, PA on July 28, 1937, the daughter of Raymond and Lydia Lorah. On December 31, 1955, Lydia married Carl Hobert Ratcliff Jr. in Janesville, WI. Lydia loved fiercely and unconditionally. She had a funny way with words, an unforgettable smile and, if ever needed, a gentle hand to hold. Her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews meant the world to her and she never missed the opportunity to attend their many events; from baseball to theater, karate to horse shows, and everything in between. She loved watching her backyard cardinals over a cup of coffee, reading, going to the movies, watching sports and was a diehard Brett Favre fan. Surviving are: Her sister, Ann (Del) Ward and Her brother, Edward Lorah. Her children: David (Myra) Ratcliff, Fort Atkinson, WI, Rick Ratcliff, Fort Atkinson, WI, Hobie (Linda) Ratcliff, Longwood, FL, Gordy Ratcliff, Orlando, FL, Susan (Cris) Ratcliff Folk, Watertown, WI, and Jodi (Anthony) Landowski, Fort Atkinson, WI, and Grandchildren: Aaron Folk, Owen Ratcliff, Hobie Carl Ratcliff, Dalton Joseph Ratcliff, Kassandra Ratcliff, Elizabeth Landowski, Samuel Landowski, and great grandchild Myles Lohman. Lydia was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Carl. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Bill and Chuck Lorah and her nephew Dwayne Ward. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at 7 PM at the Nitardy Funeral Home Chapel, 1008 Madison Ave., Fort Atkinson, WI with Rev. Chris Buckingham-Taylor officiating. Burial will be at 11AM on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 in the Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 from 5PM-7PM until the time of the services. In lieu of flowers, the family is planning a memorial bench to be placed along Haumerson�s Pond Trail in Lydia�s name.