Katrina Mathilde Ratcliff, 86, Minot, and formerly of Columbus and Mandan, passed away on Sunday, Oct 4, 2009 in a Minot nursing home.

Kay was born on May 21, 1923 on the family homestead near Columbus, ND, the daughter of Sivert and Anna Ramnes Kleppen. She lived near the Truax Traer coal mines where her dad was employed and her mother prepared meals for the coal miners. In 1927, the family moved to Plenty, Saskatchewan, Canada to homestead and they settled onto a small farm where they were sharecroppers for 15 years. Her elementary schooling was completed in a small country school (McCleod) located 3 miles from the farm. Life on the farm left little time for rest and Kay was always busy with field work or caring for the livestock. As a little girl, Kay helped her mother knead the dough for the daily bread making which started her love for baking. In 1942 she moved to Columbus, ND where she worked at the Post Office.

Kay's father and brothers worked in the power plant south of Columbus and introduced Kay to a friend, Jake Ratcliff. Kay was united in marriage to Jake on February 3, 1949. They made their home in Columbus for several years before moving to Mandan where Kay was a homemaker and raised their daughter, Faye. Jake passed away on July 14, 1971. Kay returned to school and received her State High School Equivalency Certificate on Nov 30, 1971. She moved to Minot in 1973 where her daughter was stationed in the Air Force, and she was employed as a specialty pastry chef for the Maragos family (Riverside/Sheraton/Holiday Inn) for 20+ years. Her homemade pies were a favorite for the Golden K Kiwanis Club members. Following her retirement she made her home with her daughter and son-in-law prior to moving to Manorcare Healthcare Center.

Kay was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church of Minot where she was a member of a church circle and quilting group. She enjoyed cooking and baking, attending the Sons of Norway functions, working on crafts and crossword puzzles, watching the food network channel, and serving as a Grandma at a local elementary school. She will always be remembered for her delicious orange rolls, pies, and lefse.

Her loving family includes : her daughter, Faye (Steve) Ruppel, Minot, ND; brother, Norman Kleppen, New Bern, NC; brother, Arvin Kleppen, Missoula, MT, sister, Mavis Gullickson, Bismarck, ND and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Sivert and Anna; husband, Jake; stepson, Jerry, brothers, Arnold, John, and Leonard.

Visitation: Thursday, October 8, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Funeral Service : Friday, October 9, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in Christ Lutheran Church, Minot.
Graveside Service: Friday at 3:00 p.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Columbus, ND.