Kathleen “Kathy” Jean (Groft) Ratigan, 66, of Frankfort, SD, passed away with family by her side on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at Community Memorial Hospital Avera in Redfield, SD.  Services will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Redfield.  Public visitation will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.  A private family Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. with interment at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery in Frankfort.  Reverend John Short will officiate.

The funeral Mass will be live-streamed to the funeral home's website.  Masks and social distancing are requested by the family.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield.  (www.hykefuneralhome.com)

Kathleen Jean Groft was born on April 27, 1954, to Ray and Eulalia (Ruschenberg) Groft.  Kathy attended grade school in Frankfort, SD and graduated from Redfield High School in 1972.  Kathy married Gary Ratigan on August 25, 1973, and they had two boys, Robert in 1978 and Richard in 1982. 

Kathy worked at the Spink County Auditor’s office in the courthouse in Redfield after her high school graduation until her early retirement due to health limitations.  Kathy and Gary owned and operated Slim’s Gas Station in Frankfort from 1990 to 2000. 

She is survived by her two sons:  Robert (Kelly) of Frankfort and Richard (Getta) of Frankfort; eight grandchildren:  Geneva, Gage, Justin, Adriana, Jerica, Kyara, Jessie, and Rayden.  She is also survived by her brother Dick (Nila) Groft of Redfield; sisters:  Raeleen Heffernan of Redfield and Patricia (Ed) Haider of Frankfort; mother-in-law Mildred (Marlow) Ratigan of Redfield; brother-in-law Gene Ratigan of Badger, SD; and many nieces and nephews. 

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband Gary; parents Ray and Eulalia; father-in-law Maurice; brother-in-law Mick Heffernan; and sister-in-law Karen. 

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Thank you to the participants in Kathy's service:

Clergy ~ Reverend John Short

Organist ~ Mary Binger

Cantor and Soloist ~ Raymond Johnson

Lector ~ Tracy Millar

Pallbearers ~ Robert Ratigan, Rick Ratigan, Gage Ratigan, Justin Ratigan, 

John Carlson, Kevin Haider, Jeff Ratigan, Mike Ratigan

Honorary Pallbearers ~ Kathy's Grandchildren

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