03/06/2011
Myrtle Maxine (Kimler) Rankin was born October 11, 1922, in Knoxville, Iowa the daughter of Lawrence Matthew Kimler and Mable Alice (Brooks) Kimler.
She attended Buckeye Elementary School and graduated from Knoxville High School with the Class of 1941. Following high school, Myrtle attended Capital City Commercial College in Des Moines. She then worked for Farm Bureau for 4 years and for the Marion County Credit Bureau for 6 months.
On March 4, 1949, she was united in marriage to Worth Marvin Rankin at the First United Methodist Church in Knoxville. She and Worth moved to a farm in the Pinchey neighborhood of Pleasantville and lived there the rest of her life.
Throughout her life Myrtle was active in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church; she was a member of the U.M.W. and served on the wedding and serving committees. She was also a leader for the 4-H Merry Maids and was on the County Extension 4-H committee. Myrtle was a member of the Union Township Farm Bureau and a sister member of Theta Alpha Chi Sorority.
In her spare time, she made and sold ceramics and reproduction dolls at a Valley Junction shop and was a member of the Kate Shelley Doll Club.
The family was very important to Myrtle; she loved them very much and enjoyed their family gatherings.
She enjoyed baking and collecting recipes. She also liked cardinals and her many dolls.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Worth; son, Larry (Lori), 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
Myrtle passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2011, at her home at the age of 88 years, 4 months and 23 days.
Funeral Service Bybee & Davis Funeral Home – Knoxville, Iowa Thursday, March 10, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Jeff Flagg, officiating.
Musical Selections Midge Brooks, organist – Todd & Heather, Vrban, vocalists “In the Garden”, “Old Rugged Cross”.
Casket Bearers Eric Rankin Dennis Harkin Dustin Rankin Jerry Roff Brandon Pennington Dave Bender Interment Greenwood Cemetery – Knoxville, Iowa
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church or to Hospice of Central Iowa. The family invites relatives and friends to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for lunch following the committal service.