Ann Naomi Ratkovich

Ann Naomi “Sheep Lady” Ratkovich, 90, of Vanport, formerly of Ohioville, passed away on January 27, 2024, after a brief illness, at Rochester Manor.

Born on February 11, 1933, in New Brighton, she was the daughter of the late Guy Earl and Olive Koble Davis. Ann married her husband, Mike in 1951and during the early years of her marriage, she was a homemaker, Sunday school teacher and also was employed as a dietary aid at the “Geriatric” center.

Later when Ann and Mike had a small farm in Ohioville. It is there she began her love of raising sheep and proudly gave herself the title of “Sheep Lady”. Many times, she was known to take newborn lambs into her home. It was not uncommon to visit Ann and see a lamb wearing diapers running around the house.

Ann loved sports. She liked baseball and sometimes hockey; but the Steelers were her passion. Nothing stopped her from watching “the game”. Black and Gold would be displayed all over her home and her person. She was known to keep a log of all the players. She had her own system of check marks for any good plays. At the end of the season, she would add up each of the players “points”. Many years, her player with the highest points was also the player of the year.

Two other passions of Ann’s were the Fairview Grange Auction and Bird watching. She loved Cardinals or “Red birds” as she called them. She used to say her happiest place to be was sitting on the back porch and watching the birds.

Along with her parents, Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Ratkovich Sr., her son­ in-law, Robert T. Ellefson and her grandson Christopher Ellefson. All five of her siblings also proceeded her: brothers: Ronald, Cleo, Herbert, and Jack Davis; and her sister, Ruth Thompson.

Ann leaves behind and will be sadly missed by her daughter, Debra Ratkovich Ellefson, of Vanport, whom Ann resided with; sons, Mike (Brenda) Ratkovich Jr., of Arizona, and David (Donna) Ratkovich, of Chippewa; grandchildren, Dustin (Laura) Ellefson, Katie (Jillie) Ellefson, Jessica (Zach) Black, Jake Ratkovich, and Riley Ellefson; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Faylene, Hayley, Ryan, Seth, and Madison; one great-great granddaughter, Ava. Ann will also be missed by brother-in-law, Nick (Shirley) Ratkovich; sisters-in-law, Ann Delo, Rose Young, Mildred Montagnese, and Dolly (Don) Snedecker. In addition, Ann had a special place in her heart for nephew Jeremy Olszewski and niece Amy Olszewski, niece Nikkilee Davis (who never missed a weekend call) and niece Julie Van Horne as well as numerous additional nieces and nephews.

Two special friends of “Granny’s” who she deeply cherished were Barb Miller and Sharon Bischak who took Granny on shopping sprees as did granddaughter Katie.

Friends will be received on Thursday February 1, 2024 in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009, from 3pm until the time of service at 7pm, officiated by Pastor Olszewski.

Any monetary contributions can be made in Ann’s name to either the Hookstown Free Methodist Church where Ann had attended or the VFW Post 128 Auxiliary of which Ann was a member.

Family Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com. Private Interment to take place at Beaver Cemetery.