Joan Ratliff, 75, of Oskaloosa died Friday, October 30, 2026, at her home in Oskaloosa. She was born October 22, 1951, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of Nathaniel “Tip” and Patricia Smith Lamberson. She graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1969. She was united in marriage to Patrick Ratliff and to this union two sons were born, Charles and Andy. Joan and Patrick later divorced. Early on Joan worked as a social worker. She later completed her degree in accounting and opened her own accounting firm in Oklahoma. After several years of accounting work, she closed her accounting firm and returned to Oskaloosa to help care for her parents. She enjoyed knitting and always looked forward to spending time at Gull Lake in Minnesota hunting for agates along the shore. She also loved spending time with her cats, Fluffer and Squish.
Her family includes her two sons, Charles “Dutch” Ratliff of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Andy (Monica) Ratliff of Anchorage, Alaska; five grandchildren, Aspen, Victor, Fletcher, Finley, and Wyatt Ratliff; her brother, Fred Lamberson of California; a nephew, Ryan Craver; and two nieces, Morgan Page and Petra Lamberson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Susan Lamberson.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Molly Goodrich officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family will be at the Bates Funeral Chapel on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Stephen Animal Shelter.
