Coleen Elaine (Ratliff) Gale

Coleen Elaine (Ratliff) Gale, 88, passed away at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson, Kansas, on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

She was born on March 13, 1937, right before her twin brother Kenneth, to Wayne Ratliff and Pearl (Gutzman) Ratliff, in rural Kensington, Kansas.

Coleen graduated from Kensington High School with the Class of 1955. She attended the University of South Dakota for two years, living with her uncle, Wayne Gutzman, and his family. That formed a bond that lasted a lifetime.

On November 9, 1957, she married Darrel Dee Gale at Beulah Church in rural Kensington. Darrel headed to Germany to serve his country, with Coleen joining him shortly thereafter to begin their three-year European journey. They created lifelong friends, visited historic venues, and took numerous adventures.

In 1959, their daughter, Dee Ann, was born in Stuttgart, Germany. Darrel’s service took them to San Antonio, Texas, where son, James Darren, arrived in 1961. Later, in 1961, they returned to Darrel’s family farm, where their daughter, Dawn Ellen, was added in 1962.

Once the children reached school age, Coleen worked for Newell Fabric Store, Quanz Flower Shop, and then for 22 years at Farmers National Bank.

In 2005, the couple moved to town, where Coleen had a newfound enjoyment in meeting friends for coffee. Darrel and Coleen were busy travelers on cruises, trips with family and friends, and winter stays in New Braunfels, Texas. They attended each children’s and grandchildren’s event, which was even remotely reasonable. Darrel passed away in 2010. He was the love of her life, her best friend, and she missed him daily. They were faithful members for almost 60 years at Phillipsburg United Methodist Church.

Coleen was a special hostess. She loved her very large family, hosting family gatherings for any holiday she was available. Once living in town, Coleen joined the local PEO-BE Chapter and created new, special connections within this sisterhood. She volunteered at the local elementary school, helped serve summer meals to many of the same kids, assisted with the Hospital Auxiliary and Gift Shop, and sorted and delivered mail at the Phillipsburg nursing home. Many young people in Phillipsburg will remember her for her faithful service to keeping score at the softball diamond, even in her later years. Coleen was the original manager of Phillipsburg Estates. After relinquishing these duties, she continued to coordinate decorating the common areas for every holiday. Coleen played Canasta but was at her best playing bridge. As a young couple, she and Darrel played couple’s bridge, but she was at her competitive best with her Tuesday group, which lasted nearly 50 years. Coleen was a talented seamstress. She created innumerable quilts and had sewn over 50 men’s sports coats. Her cooking skills were unique and an envy of many. She had a knack for taking any recipe and modifying it to create memorable tastes and textures.

She is survived by her daughters Dee Ann (Chris) Showalter and Dawn (Darron) Veh, Hutchinson, and son, Darren (Marsha) Gale of Charlotte, N.C; grandchildren Sara Showalter of San Diego, Calif., Cari (Corey) Torrez of Rush Center, Dr. Taylor Veh (Lucas Johnson) of St. Louis, Mo., Gannon Veh of Las Cruces, N.M., Derek (Celia) Gale of Alexandria, Va., and Madeline (Matt) Jackson of Washington, D.C; great-grandchildren Liam, Alvie and Owen Torrez, Colin and Harper Johnson and Eloise Gale; sisters Marian (Jerrel) Larson of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Janice (Gene) Miller of Stockton; brothers, Kenny Ratliff of Kensington, Royce (Connie) of Phillipsburg, Gerald (Patsy) Ratliff of Marion, Alvie (Analee) Ratliff of Athol, Lyle (Vergie) Ratliff of Kensington, and Warren (Cindy) Ratliff of rural Smith Center; brothers-in-law Loren (Peggy) Gale of Phillipsburg, David (Barbara) Gale of McPherson, and Ralph Kern of Virginia Beach, Va.; many, many extended family members and a large community of friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Dianne, and brothers Dean and Brian.

Per her wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, May 3rd at 10:30, at the United Methodist Church in Phillipsburg. Family visitation will be Friday, May 2nd, from 3-6 at Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.

Memorials may be made to the Phillipsburg United Methodist Church, The Phillipsburg PEO-BE Chapter STAR Scholarship, or Mennonite Friendship Communities South Entry Remodel c/o Olliff-Boeve 1115 2nd St. Phillipsburg, KS. 67661.