Bonnie Lee Ratto

Former Mineral Wells resident, Bonnie Lee Ratto,  91, died in Weatherford, Texas, on November 23, 2021.

At her request, only a private family service will be held.

Bonnie was born December 23, 1929 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Charles C. and Ellen M. Gilbert. 

The military brought her to  Mineral Wells when her husband was stationed at Ft. Wolters.   She lived in Mineral Wells  for over 50 years before moving to Weatherford in 2016.   She worked in several local retail establishments including Open Front Food Store, Herb Owens Fabrics, Hill’s Style Shop and George’s Men’s Shop.  For many years, she was also had a small rural mail carrier route.  In their retirement years, she and her husband enjoyed traveling in their travel trailer and visited many states.

Bonnie was an expert seamstress, loved ceramics, painting, gardening, lake life and planning get togethers for her large family.  She never knew a stranger and always befriended and “mothered” those in need.  She graduated from Napa High School in Napa, California. 

Bonnie was blessed with a large and loving family.  She is survived by two brothers, Bill Gilbert, and Leo Gilbert;  four daughters and spouses, Lynne Mallory (Jeff), Loretta Reed (Jeff), Lisa Able (Larry), Pat Hinman (Claude); one son and spouse, Randy Ratto (Cathy); twelve  grandchildren, Traci Pierce, B.J. Gann, Sandee Snyder, Adam Lawrence, Tyler Lawrence, Dwayne Able, Vickie White, Jennifer Montgomery, Tiffany Hinman, Whitney Hurst and Riley Ratto;  fifteen great grandchildren, Maci Bates, Megan Welch, Jaclynn Pierce, Kaden Gann, Madison Gann, Mallorie Gann, Ryan Snyder, Dylan Snyder, Bryse Lawrence, Lennon Lawrence, Peyton Lawrence, Makinzie Harris, Drew White, Kelvin York and Blake Hinman; five great great grandchildren, Kennedy Bates, Liberty Bates, William Bates, Layla Welch and Legend Welch. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles C. and Ellen M. Gilbert; one brother, Clyde Gilbert; husband, George R. Ratto;  and one grandson, Colby Gann.