12/03/2011
Loren Jay Rankin was born on December 15, 1957 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the son of Loren
“Pete” and Louise (Jones) Rankin.
Loren was raised in Knoxville and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1976,
where he had been the manager of the football and basketball teams. He worked at
Pella Corporation for nearly 36 years and also assisted with track preparation at
the Knoxville Raceway for many years.
He was united in marriage to Kristi Pregon
on July 10, 1982, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Knoxville. The couple had lived
in Pershing for twenty-four years and in Harvey for the past six years.
Loren enjoyed working at the racetrack in the summers and hunting in the winter.
He also liked to play cards and go antiquing.
Most of all, Loren loved spending time with his family and friends.
Loren passed away while deer hunting on the Parker farm near Bussey, Iowa on Saturday,
December 3, 2011, at the age of 53 years, 11 months, and 18 days.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Kristi; daughter, Lisa Rankin (Nick
Hansen); son, Cody Rankin (fiancé, Jeanann DeKruif); siblings, Linda (Ron) Steenhoek,
Lana Rankin, Lauretta (Jim) Utterback, Lyle (Barb) Rankin, Lori Rankin, and Lynette
Rankin; father- and mother-in-law, Ted and Mary Pregon; sisters-in-law, Melinda
(Steve) Kuiper, Kim (Brent) Hoehns; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and
cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, LaDonna Godfrey, and her husband,
Alvin; and nephew, Lee Rankin.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. and again one
an hour prior to the service at Williams Funeral Home in Knoxville.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 8 at 10 a.m. at Williams Funeral
Home in Knoxville.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the
Clay Township Fire & Rescue or to the American Diabetes Association.