Mrs. Georgia Ratigan

Georgia Mills Ratigan, 92, of Newcastle, Wyoming, ended her earthly life journey on June 20, 2016. Georgia was born to George and Pinky Mills in Wall, South Dakota, on October 5, 1923. Her birth mother died when Georgia was an infant. Her father was a country doctor with an erratic schedule, so Georgia and her sister Dede went to live with their grandparents and Aunt Fern on the family's homestead north of Wall. George Mills remarried (Alice) and Georgia and Dede returned to the home in Wall.
Georgia was a remarkable academic achiever. She wrote a letter to the school superintendent when she was 5 asking that she be considered for early enrollment in the Wall school system. Georgia finished the educational steps in Wall, and entered the University of South Dakota at age 16. She graduated in 1944, majoring in Social Work.
Georgia married John Ratigan on December 22, 1945, in Newcastle, Wyoming, where they made their lifelong home. They raised five children, Mike, Joe, Dan, Mary, and Jean. She had a professional career that included high school teacher, bookkeeper for Ratigan Standard Service and the NAPA store, and social worker for the State of Wyoming. She had an intense love for reading and was very active in several local book clubs over the years, which she greatly enjoyed. She also loved to do the crossword puzzles in the newspapers. She loved to quilt and made quilts for her family that they treasure.
Georgia was very active in the Corpus Christi Catholic Church and volunteered locally for several causes, including the local B.R.E.A.D. food pantry.
Georgia was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Dede, her daughter Mary, and her husband John. She is survived by her children Mike (Candy) of Newcastle, Joe (Alys) of Rapid City, Dan (Rosie) of Lander, and Jean (Walker) of Custer, 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Newcastle, Wyoming.

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