Curtis (Curt) M. Rafferty, 79 of Lee's Summit, Missouri, died on the morning of Sept. 29, 2023, at Lee's Summit Medical Center. He was born on Dec. 4, 1943, in Belle-ville, Kansas, to Peter (Mike) Raf- ferty and Maxine Semke Rafferty.
He grew up in Mankato, Kansas where, as Curt described, he lived an "Opie" childhood. After graduating from Fort Hays State University in 1969, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri, to work for Allstate Insurance Company as an insurance agent. He retired in 2008 after 40 years with Allstate.
He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sandra (Sandi) Groff on June 8, 1969, in Hays, Kansas. Their only child, Ryan, was born on October 12, 1971.
He had a lifelong connection to Mankato as well as Jewell County. He spent hours on the computer or going to postcard shows looking for Mankato and Jewell County memorabilia. Curt was also interested in genealogy along with his sister, Mindy. He felt blessed he and Sandi were able to travel throughout the United States and Europe.
We will deeply miss his laughter, his impish grin, those twinkling eyes and most definitely his story telling.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, father-in-law, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, as well as uncles, aunts and cousins.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Sandi Rafferty; his son, Ryan Rafferty; his granddaughter, Kristin Rafferty (Dylan); sisters, Mindy Ost and Trela Howard; mother-in-law, Doris Groff; brother-in-law, Phil Groff; and sister-in-law, Linda Calderone (Ned).
At Curt's request, he will be cremated and there will be no service. Contributions in his name can be made to the Jewell County Historical Society, 109 N. Commercial St., Mankato, Kansas 66956.
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