Stephen J. Ratkowski

Stephen J. Ratkowski passed away February 4, 2016 in Ritzville. His home was in Odessa.

Stephen was born December 26, 1931 in Lyndhurst, N.J. In September 1952, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean Conflict before being honorably discharged as a corporal in August of 1954.

Stephen married Kathy on August 12, 1989 in Everett, Wash. and moved to Odessa in 1993, where they made their home until his death. Stephen work many different jobs over the years and loved helping people in Odessa fixing and repair different things for people. Stephen was a lifetime member of the Odessa V.F.W, a 15-year president of the Prime Timers Sr. Club and the Odessa Horseshoe Club. He enjoyed camping, golfing, playing cards, working with his hands and loved to tinker and build things and helped many people with handyman projects.

Stephen is survived by his wife Kathy at the home, four children Matthew Ratkowski, Patricia (Daniel) Langford, Scott Ratkowski and Catherine (Nathan) Brown; four stepchildren Amber (David) McKague, Russall Pietz, Rebecca (Robert) Jensen and Donna (Josh) Faulkner. He also has 18 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one son Rusty Ratkowski and 12 brothers and sisters. No services will be held as per his request. Inurnment will be held February 26 at 2:15 p.m. at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials be made to the Prime Time Sr. club or the Odessa V.F.W. Please sign the online guest book at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com. Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, is caring for the Ratkowski family.