Connie Lou Chance Ratliff (née Dickey), 93, of Larned passed away on April 27, 2024, at Country Living in Larned. She was born to Dr. William O. Dickey and Alice Lucile (Lynch) Dickey on June 3, 1930, in Garden City.
Connie attended Larned schools and in 1948 married Paul V. Chance. They had six children and raised their family in Larned. Following Paul’s passing in 1989, Connie married Robert Ratliff.
After years of keeping the books at Chance Oldsmobile-Cadillac in Larned, Connie worked as a self-employed house painter and paperhanger. She also served as Pawnee County Clerk for a time.
She enjoyed sewing and knitting, making clothes for her girls when they were young. She also made many beautiful quilts and enjoyed the camaraderie of quilting with the ladies at First Presbyterian Church; her children and grandchildren treasure many of her quilts today. She was also active in Larned ladies golfing and loved living on the golf course in her later years, tending to her lawn and garden.
Connie will be deeply missed by her surviving family, including her children: Carol (John) Nix, Cristi (Terry) Carr, Cathy (Doug) Allison, D.J. (Ann) Chance, and Cory Chance; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; her brother, Dr. William C. (Karen) Dickey; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, infant son Kelly Joe Chance, brother Dr. Gary Dickey, son-in-law David Vratil, granddaughters Carrie Vratil and Amy Yeager, great-grandson Sam Doherty.
The family would like to thank the staff at Country Living in Larned for their care, compassion and thoughtfulness during Connie’s time there, and a thanks to Gentiva Hospice for their care these past few weeks.
A memorial service to honor Connie's life will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 at the First Presbyterian Church, Larned, with Pastor Bill Stapleton presiding. There will be no visitation and Inurnment will be in the Larned Cemetery.
Gifts in her memory can be made to the First Presbyterian Church or donors’ choice both in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, KS, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.