Judith Frances Ratte

Judith "Judy" Ratte, age 91, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, in Corvallis, Oregon. She was born on June 17, 1934, in Longview, Washington, to William Hall and Doris Couch.

Judy graduated from Kelso High School in 1952, and later that year married William Ahonen. Together they raised four children: Mark (Becky), Steve (Laurey), Karen, and Kaye (Don). During her early married years, Judy lived in Bellingham and Kelso, Washington and Boulder, Colorado, before settling in Concord, California in 1960.

Dedicated to education and service, Judy earned her degree in Education from Holy Names College. She went on to work as a teacher in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, where she made a lasting impact teaching students with special needs.

In 1976, Judy moved to Junction City, Oregon, and two years later to Corvallis. While working as a travel agent, she met Paul Ratte, whom she married in 1986. Judy and Paul shared a deep love of travel and adventure, exploring the world together and creating countless memories with their blended family. Paul preceded her in death in 2011.

Judy cherished time spent with her children, stepchildren: Paul Jr. (Linda), Karen (Jim, deceased), and Cliff (Lynne), and her 12 grandchildren, proudly attending their many events and competitions. Family was always at the center of her life.

She is survived by her brother, Larry (Lois), her children and stepchildren, grandchildren, and extended family who will remember her for her compassion, dedication, and love of learning and travel.

Judy's legacy lives on in the lives she touched as a teacher, mother, grandmother, and friend.