Harlan Ratcliff, 66 of Woodward, Iowa passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at his home. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Saturday, December 3, 2022 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in New Sharon. Burial will be held in the Union Mills Cemetery at Union Mills. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Reiman Gardens in Ames. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of arrangements.

Harlan Ray Ratcliff, the son of Rayford and Eleanora (Jones) Ratcliff, was born on April 26, 1956 in Grinnell, Iowa. He graduated from North Mahaska High School with the class  of1974. Harlan received his Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Education. He taught one year at Donnelson High School before returning to school and receiving his Master's Degree from the University of Iowa in Environmental Engineering. He worked several years at Clow Valve Company in Oskaloosa. On May 20, 2000, Harlan married Pat Faidley. To this union they adopted three children, Darina, Maksim and Eric. They later divorced. Harlan worked for the Iowa National Guard as an Environmental Engineer Specialist retiring in 2021.

Harlan had a passion for butterflies and taking some extremely unique pictures of them. He loved to travel around the nation taking pictures and searching for unique and rare butterflies. He was involved with the Bio Blitz group, which is a support group for his hobby. Harlan spent many hours writing in his blog, The Roused Bear and also volunteered at the Reiman Gardens in Ames. He was an avid Iowa State Fan and enjoyed watching basketball.

His memory will be honored by his children, Darina (Kendrick) Veasley of Waukee, Maksim (Haylee Clark) Ratcliff of Ankeny and Eric Ratcliff of Aurora, CO; his grandson, Audrik Ratcliff; his three siblings, Martha Kroese of Cedar Falls, Earl (Margaret) Ratcliff of New Sharon and Carl (Janet) Ratcliff of Seymour, MO along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Harlan was preceded in death by his parents, Rayford and Eleanora Ratcliff.