Dr. Barbara Rankin

Barbara Rankin

Dr. Barbara Ellen Rankin was born on July 3, 1963, in Knoxville, Iowa, to Phil and Dorothy (Benscoter) Williams. She was raised in Pershing, Iowa, and graduated from Twin Cedars High School in 1981.
On June 22, 1984, Barb was united in marriage to Lyle Rankin of Knoxville, Iowa. Barb had a rewarding and fulfilling career in education, receiving numerous degrees from several Iowa colleges. Barb’s greatest loves in life were her husband, children, grandchildren, family, and friends. She had a passion for cooking, and especially enjoyed this with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed riding with her husband on their trike, taking family vacations, reading, quilting, antiquing, and shopping with her sisters. Barb passed away on August 27, 2017, at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 54.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; her mother and father-in-law, LaVerne and Louise Rankin; sister and brother-in-law, LaDonna and Alvin Godfrey; brother-in-law, Loren Rankin; and nephew Lee Rankin. Those left to honor her memory include her children, Cory Rankin (Deidra) and grandchildren Aurora, Amira, and Royce Rankin of Pella, Iowa; Colin Rankin (Cassandra Gull) of Mitchellville, Iowa; sister, Joy Johnson of Bondurant, Iowa; brother, Larry Williams of Bussey, Iowa; sister, Cheryl (Mark) Lilley of Bondurant, Iowa; sister-in-laws, Linda (Ron) Steenhoek; Lana Rankin; Lauretta (Jim) Utterback; Lori Rankin; Lynnette Rankin, all of Knoxville, Iowa; sister-in-law, Kristi (Loren) Rankin, of Harvey, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and Honorary sister, Janis (Steve) VanWyk of Pella, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sarcoma Foundation or Iowa Methodist Hospital.

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