Darrell Edwin Rankin

Darrell Edwin Rankin was born at home in Chelan County, Washington on May 27, 1945 to James Forrest and Evelyn Blanche Rankin. He was born into a loving, faithful and hardworking family. Countless stories share of fun and adventure with brothers and sisters growing up on a ranch near Old Blewett Pass in the Cascade Mountains. Building forts, playing cowboys and Indians, creating “marching bands” with household items, rock climbing, scouting for bears and elk, swimming, fishing and mining for gold are among the favorite topics of his humorous and entertaining stories.

Growing up, Darrell and his family were continually involved in the Church of God, Abrahamic Faith in Cashmere, Washington. He loved attending church and learning about God’s truths and the Abrahamic promises. Deciding to follow that path after graduating from Peshastin-Dryden High School, he attended Oregon Bible College in Oregon, Illinois. It is there that he found many loves: love of ministry and evangelizing, love of singing in harmony, and the love of his life, Loretta Susann Bartz.

After graduating with his degree in Theology in 1967, that same year Darrell and Loretta were married. During their first years of marriage, they lived in the Wenatchee Valley of Washington State. There, Darrell had a variety of roles he thoroughly enjoyed including working at Tree Top, fighting fires, landscaping for the city parks and beginning his career in ministry.

A new chapter of Darrell’s life began in 1973 when he and Loretta moved to a farm in rural Iowa where Darrell farmed alongside Loretta’s father, Harold. A year later their daughter Genavieve Susann was born. It is here in Iowa that Darrell continued the legacy of growing a family with love, faith and hard work. On the farm he sowed seed in agriculture through growing corn, alfalfa, hay and livestock. At home with his family, he cultivated seeds of love, virtue, truth and positive character. In his community he nurtured seed sown of the gospel through widespread ministry and establishing the Restitution Church of God, Abrahamic Faith with his brother and fellow minister Delbert Rankin in Belle Plaine, Iowa.

Darrell devoted his time and energy to sharing his love of God and the good news of the gospel message. He dedicated his life to walking along side those who needed hope and support. As a youth leader he loved interacting with all ages, taking great care to provide the opportunity to make all feel welcome and cared for. His enthusiasm for cultivating a church community got him out on the roller rink, playing all kinds of sports and even running around the playground. He took every chance he got to share beauty, comfort and hope from the scriptures of the Bible to uplift friends, family, congregations and strangers. His love and support helped to carry many through difficult dark days so that they could finally see the rainbow on the other side filled with eternal hope and relationship with the Lord. (Hebrews 11, one of his favorite chapters in the Bible).

After 24 years in Iowa and 10 years in Winchester, Virginia, Darrell and Loretta moved to Colorado where his daughter began raising her family of three grandchildren. “Papa” as the kids called him, was ready for fun and fellowship of any kind! He was an inspiration to them all as he loved and taught them in everything they did together. Bible stories, memory verses, Sunday school songs and prayer were regular parts of daily living. He loved teaching the “how-to” of things and patiently worked with his family to help them learn how to grow food and flowers, care for fruit trees and birds, whittle and build, and to thoughtfully explore and discover God’s beautiful creation. His creativity and ingenuity never ceased to amaze as he humbly used what he had to transform tattered patches of land into mini “Gardens of Eden”. He helped each one of us to find the peace, pleasure and presence of God together in our surroundings (Psalm 1, a chapter in the Bible he often quoted to symbolically represent our time together).

Darrell lived and taught by example. Spending his life raising a family, farming and working for corporate seed corn companies, building a church and ministering to its congregation meant that Darrell continuously burnt the midnight oil in dedication to his family and faith. Nevertheless, Darrell lived day after day with a joyful attitude, ready with a smile and a joke for anyone he met. His hope in the Lord and passion for the promises of God led the way each and every day no matter what circumstances were presented (1 Corinthians chapter 15 – summary of faith and hope; “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” verses 57 & 58).

Darrell was many things throughout his lifetime: a farmer, a pastor, a teacher, a researcher, a writer, a scholar, an inventor, a salesman, a son, a brother, a husband, a father, and finally a grandfather. But his greatest lesson and legacy to us all is how to “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” (Mark 12:30). His faith was translated through his words, attitudes, actions and choices, His enthusiastic love of life and living it fully with others is an inspiration to us all.

Sorrowfully, on April 5, 2024, at the age of 78, Darrell passed away peacefully in the garden courtyard of the senior living center where he resided. Although his time there was short, his caring conversation, playful jokes, and uplifting spirit touched the lives of everyone he met. He will be exceedingly missed by us all.

Darrell is survived by his daughter Genavieve Susann DeSouza (age 49) and grandchildren Mason James (19), Sebastian Forrest (19) and Clara Louise (16) of Erie, Colorado; sister Phyllis Wachtel of Wenatchee, Washington, brother Russell (Myrna) Rankin of Cashmere, Washington and sister-in-law Nancy Rankin of Ladora, Iowa.

Darrell was preceded in death by his wife Loretta Susann (Bartz) Rankin, father James Forrest Rankin, mother Evelyn Blanche Ridley Rankin, sister Nola (Sheridan) Payne, brothers Ronald (Virginia), Arlen (Sharon), Delbert Rankin, and brother-in-law, William Wachtel.

A memorial for Darrell will be held in conjunction with the memorial for his wife Loretta on June 8th from 12 noon – 4pm at Matthew 25 Event Space located at 201 3rd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. The memorial ceremony will begin at 12:30 with reception to follow. Family, friends, flowers and cards are all welcome.

We also invite you to contribute cherished photos and memories of Darrell below.