Nancy Lee Ratermann

Nancy Ratermann (nee Yazell), age 89, of Covington, KY passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026, in the comfort of her home that she shared with three generations of her family. Surrounded by love, in her last moment, Nancy left this world with a smile on her face.

For those that had the opportunity of knowing Nancy, know that she was a fierce spirit that walked through life with the confidence, determination, and grit that most don’t get to witness everyday. She began her life as a bright, blue-eyed farm girl riding across the fields on her prized pony, Judy. Under the watchful eyes of her mother and grandparents, she grew into a beautiful young woman and graduated from Simon Kenton High School, ready to conquer her future and live life to the fullest. And that she did.

As a young wife and mother, Nancy delivered mail bags to the rural Post Offices throughout the hills of northern Kentucky with her daughters sleeping in clothes baskets in the back of her truck. In 1966, she answered a newspaper ad and became a transportation clerk for Square D Electrical Company. While working and raising three daughters, she pursued her degree in Transportation Management from the University of Cincinnati. Dispatching truckers to and fro and directing freight all over the world, Nancy finished her career 29 years later as a Transportation Executive for Square D and retired in 1995. Nancy gained the respect of many big, burly men over the years that realized they had met their match in a pretty faced, pistol of a woman.

Many men may have been intimidated by Nancy’s strength and independence, but not her husband Walter. For Walter, Nancy’s passionate soul didn’t just hang the moon in his eyes, but aligned the constellations as well. With Nancy’s strength and determination, and Walter’s steadfastness and tenderness, their love lasted a lifetime and left generations of love in their wake.

Nancy is survived by her loving daughters, Patricia “Lynn” Lambert (David) and Kimberly Schmidt (Jeff); 5 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Nancy is preceded in passing by her dear husband, Walter Ratermann; daughter, Paula Ratermann, mother Mildred Howell, and sister, Vicki Howell.

Visitation will be held at St. Patrick Church in Taylor Mill on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 beginning at 1 PM, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 2PM. Interment will immediately follow at Mother of God Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Patrick Church 3285 Mills Rd, Taylor Mill, KY 41015.