7/13/2009
Pauline E. Rankin, age 91, of Janesville, Wis., died on Monday, July 13, 2009, at Cedar Crest. She was born on a farm in Marion County on Dec. 5, 1917, the daughter of Lester and Flossie (Monroe) Rankin.
After high school she began a long career in education, teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Marion County. She attended the Iowa State Teachers College and then taught in El Paso, Texas, Portland, Ore., and various schools in Iowa. Pauline served in the WAAC’s (Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps) from 1942 to 1943.
Following her service to the country, she worked in New York City for the American
Red Cross and later as a teletypist for BOAC (British Overseas Air Corporation).
She moved back to Iowa in 1955 and received her Bachelor’s and her Master’s degrees
from the University of Iowa and taught school in Iowa City.
Pauline moved to Janesville in 1968 and taught grade 4 at Jackson Elementary School,
and later grades 2, 5, and 6 at Washington Elementary School, until her retirement
in 1989. She was a member of Cargill United Methodist Church, AAUW, Friends of Rotary
Gardens, and the Janesville League of Women Voters.
She volunteered for the Forward Janesville Visitor’s Center, Hedberg Public Library
Summer Reading Program and Castaways thrift shop. She was an avid reader and enjoyed
playing the piano, from classical to ragtime. She was a loving mother and grandmother
who is deeply loved and will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her son, Geoffrey Rankin of Janesville; two grandchildren, Aubrey
and Christopher Rankin; four sisters: Maxine (Earl) Robinson of Baltimore, Md.,
Genevieve Scheldorf of Louisville, Ky., Joy (William) Newnam of Mercer Island, Wash.,
and Jobyna (Jack) Herman of Colville, Wash.; sister-in-law, Twila Rankin of Knoxville;
16 nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Boyd Rankin; brother-in-law, Owen Scheldorf; and nephew, Luke Herman.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday
, Aug. 15, at Cargill United Methodist Church with Rev. Forrest Wells officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the hour of service at the church.
Lasting Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Support Center of Rock County.
Schneider Apfel Schneider and Schneider Funeral Home are assisting the family.
For online condolences and registry: schneiderfuneraldirectors.com.