Graham H. Rankin, age 81, of the town of Rock Falls, died Thursday, January 22, 2015, at Ministry Sacred Heart Hospital, Tomahawk.
Graham was born February 8, 1933, in Merrill, son of the late Hugh and Lydia (Genrich) Rankin. He married Marcia Kaufman on October 7, 1960, in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Irma. She preceded him in death on July 22, 2010. Graham had worked for 30 years at PCA – Tomahawk. He served on the Town of Rock Falls Town Board for over 40 years, and was currently Town Chairman. In 2002, Graham was elected to serve on the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors. He was currently serving on the Forestry, Solid Waste, and Public Property committees. Graham was a lifetime member of the Rock Falls Sno-Drifters. Graham was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Irma, and had served on several boards and held various offices at the church. Graham continued to raise beef cattle on his farm in the town of Rock Falls, and also did logging. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. Graham never missed his grandchildren’s sporting events, as cheering them on was very important to him.
Survivors include two daughters, Tammy (Steve) Brooks, and Ann (David) Pankow, both of Irma; three sons, Ed (Kathy) Rankin, Tomahawk, Hugh Rankin, Irma, and Dale (fiancé, Marci) Rankin, Tomahawk; nine grandchildren, Michelle Rankin, Stacy (Trent) Maner, Cole (Mahogany) Brooks, Hanna (Matt) Van Ryen, Kyle and Lindsay Brooks, McKayla Pankow, Hugh G. Rankin, and Maria Pankow; nine great grandchildren; his sister, Harriet Kimmons of Medford; his black lab, Duke; and his beef cattle. Besides his wife, Marcia, and his parents, Hugh and Lydia Rankin, Graham is preceded in death by a brother in law, Leonard Kimmons.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Irma. The Rev. Hans J. Heisinger will officiate. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, town of Rock Falls. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 9:00 A.M. Wednesday at the church.
The Rankin Family has suggested that in lieu of flowers, memorials are directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Irma, in memory of our father.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com