12/28/2023
Dale Dwight Rankin was born Oct 15, 1933, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He lived in Alaska for 67 years.
He was in the Alaska Laborers Union and retired from the union. He was an avid Hawkeyes fan and was a lifetime member of the VFW and North American Hunting Club. He was also in the Air Force and was a diesel mechanic instructor.
In his early years as a teenager, he had a dream job of making ice cream. He was a very kind-hearted person who gave to military organizations, Indian schools, and people in his community.
“Poncho” married Frances Spencer KHS Class of ’58. He cherished his friends who he considered family. He also had the best team of caregivers in the last six years of his life who looked on him as a grandfather.
He had great neighbors who looked out for him and always waved to him as they went by his house. He loved sitting in his driveway during the summer in the sun. 
He collected pop tabs and donated all proceeds to the Ronald McDonald House for families with sick children. He also loved going to the auctions with his best friend, Jeff Austin.
He will be forever loved and missed dearly by Deborah Carruthers of Des Moines, Pamela Pearson of Knoxville, and Lisa (Kurt) Ciesielski of Altoona.
Dale was preceded in death by his father and mother, Lloyd and Maude Rankin; brothers, Kenneth, Ralph, and William Rankin; and sister, Katheryne Sims. His wish was to be cremated and have his ashes tossed into the Chena River so he could travel the world. He died of natural causes in his home peacefully.
Published by Daily News-Miner on Dec. 28, 2023.