Bertha Ragan, formerly of Sigourney, died on June 15, 2013, at the Silverado Assisted Living facility in Lake Zurich, Ill., following a lengthy illness. She was born January 15, 1913, in Dexter, Minn., the daughter of Grant Ragan and Eva Fauth Ragan, deceased.
A graduate of Sigourney High School in 1931, she worked as a legal assistant in Sigourney and Chicago, and then went to Washington, D.C. to begin her career in the Federal government. A graduate of Columbia Law College in Washington, D.C., she became part of the Roosevelt Administration to implement the Social Security Act of 1935. Her career took her back to Chicago where she served as the Director of Operations of the Social Security Administration's Chicago Payment Center serving the Great Lakes region of the agency.
She dedicated her life to her career and community service, including extensive reading of legal publications to the blind, church life at the Sigourney Christian Church and Third World child welfare. After returning to Sigourney in 1981 to care for her mother, Eva Ragan, she moved to Chicago in 2007 to be closer to her sisters and extended family.
She enjoyed international travel, sports fishing, fine dining, and spending time with her family. She was a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the Federal Bar Association, Chicago Payment Center Retiree's Club, Women's Club of Sigourney, and the Sigourney Christian Church.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Krystan Lordahl, Arnold Lordahl, Var Lordahl (Carol), Jackalyn Noller, Joan Tillman (Howard), Var Lordahl, Jr. (Tegan) and Kristin Lordahl. She was preceded in death by her sisters: Vera Lordahl and Twyla Noller, both formerly of Sigourney.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2013, at the Sigourney Christian Church with burial to follow immediately at West Cemetery in Sigourney. Arrangements are being handled by Holm Funeral Home. Memorials may be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org/donate. Condolences to her family should be addressed to Krys Lordahl, 3450 N Lake Shore Drive #1615, Chicago, IL. 60657.
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