The Superior Express -

Ella Rae Rafferty was born April 19, 1927, in Richmond, Ky., to Reuben and Virginia Baker, in her grandparents' home. She was proud to say she was one of five cousins born in the Broadway home. Ella Rae was the oldest of 10 children. The family moved to Ludlow, Ky., where she attended high school, graduating with the Class of 1946.

The summer before her senior year, she came to Mankato, Kan., to work for her Aunt Katherine and Uncle Merle Reager and take care of her cousin, Mike Reager. During her summer in Kansas, she met the love of her life, Lyle Eugene Rafferty. She returned to Ludlow to finish her senior year. After graduation she moved to Mankato and married Lyle Rafferty on June 21, 1949. They were blessed with five children, Rod Lyle (Rowdy) Lynda, Rae, Marty and Jami.

They ran the Sinclair station selling it when Lyle took a job with the United States Post Office. They bought and ran Sleepy Hollow Motel Lyle died in 1973.

After Lyle's death Ella Rae moved back into their house at 507. The summers were spent in Kentucky with family and at the family farm at Clay City, Ky., below Pilot's Knob. Reunions there were spent exploring the creek and climbing to the top of Pilot's Knob. Ella Rae also took up dancing and enjoyed going to singles dances with a large group of friends.

The greatest joys in her life were watching her grandchildren and working in her vegetable and flower gardens. She also had a passion for reading that was passed down to her family. Ella Rae enjoyed feeding the song birds especially cardinals. She watched for them and enjoyed listening to them sing on her backyard patio surrounded by the lilac bushes Lyle had planted. She collected cardinal plates and statues, having more than 200 in her collection. She was proud of telling everyone about the streets in Lexington, Ky., her brother Jim named after her, Ella Rae Lane and Ella Rae Court. She was a life time member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 7830 in Mankato and a member of the Red Hat Society. Many giggles were shared with friends in the Jewell County Senior limo on shopping trips to Hastings.

In her later years, Ella Rae moved to the Jewell Apartments. She enjoyed her time in Jewell, especially the trips with the gals of the Red Hat Society. When she required additional care, Ella Rae moved to Hilltop Lodge in Beloit. She died at Mitchell County Hospital, Beloit, on May 16, 2022, at the age of 95 years old.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Rafferty; her sons, Rod (Rowdy) Rafferty and Marty Rafferty; a son-in-law, Forrest Dewey; her parents, Reuben and Virginia Baker; two sisters, Alice Baker Clemons and Gloria Deannie Mango; and family in laws, Mike and Maxine Rafferty, Richard Rafferty and Mick Rafferty.

She is survived by her daughters, Lynda Dewey, Mankato, Rae Rafferty, Barnard, and Jami Underwood, Jewell; grandchildren, Shawna and Lennie Blain, Steven Rafferty, Tisha Dewey, Jon Hajny, Jaci Dewey, Jasmin and Tanner Dauner, and Waude Underwood; great-grandchildren, Merritt and Brittany Blain, Jayde Blain, Bailey Hajny, Cameron Hajny, Alyssa Hajny, Kellan Dauner and Harper Dauner; great-great grandchildren, Harper Dickau, Porter Dickau, Lina Rueling, Fallon Blain and Huxley Blain; siblings, Buddy (Roy) Baker, Barbara Kingsbury, Jackie and Dick Roden, Judy Baker, Ronnie Baker, Jim and Darlene Baker, and Don and Mary Jo Baker; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Rafferty and Emma Jean Rafferty; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

The family requests you feed and listen to the cardinals in memory of Ella Rae.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 9, from the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak, Kan., with Dan Daniels officiating.

Music will be "Go Rest High On That Mountain," "I Can Only Image," and "Red Bird."

Memorials are suggested to the VFW Auxiliary Post 7830, Mankato, Kansas or the Burr Oak Cemetery Board.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Neb. 68978 or in care of http://www.pricefuneral homes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superioris in charge of the arrangements.