Edna Julia Rankin

May 4, 1914 - November 23, 2010

Edna Rankin, 96, who was born in Cleveland in 1914 and raised herfamily in Cleveland, died peacefully in her sleep at her home inBeaverton, Oregon, on Tuesday, November 23, 2010. She had moved tothe Village at Forest Glen in Beaverton, a residence for seniorindependent living, in 2005 to be closer to her many children andgrandchildren who live on the west coast. She had been in good healthand participated actively in the Village’s many activities right up until her death. Her husbandKenneth preceded her in death in 1997. They had been married for 58 years.

She was a child of the depression and made those whose lives she touched appreciate thrift, reuseand separating “need” from “want.” As part of a generation where women generally did notwork outside their home, she followed that path, dedicating her efforts to rearing her children andproviding great assistance and guidance to her church groups (Trinity United Church of Christ inCleveland) and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was highly regarded for her crocheting skill,particularly making and donating clothing items for babies, infants and children through theChrist Child Society in Cleveland and with her Oregon neighbors in a group calling themselvesthe Knit Wits. Throughout, she was an avid gardener whose only grudge in life was againstgroundhogs. An avid weeder and propagator, she still kept up a small garden in Oregon. Part of her last day was spent getting her garden "children" ready for a cold snap.

She is survived by three sons and a daughter, Ned (Joanne) of Oakland, CA; Nancy Parham(David) of Atwood Lake, OH; Robert (Pat) of Aloha, OR; and Richard (Judy) of Algonquin, IL;and by two sisters, Arline Lewis of Westlake, OH, and Gladys Grey (Gus) of Jenson Beach, FL. Four siblings predeceased her, brothers Edward Federer and Lawrence Federer and sistersLaVerne Federer and Dorothy Grife.

Also among those who regularly received her love and guidance are ten grandchildren andsixteen great-grandchildren scattered from coast to coast. They affectionately referred to her as“Gramma-the-Great.”

In accordance with her wishes, her body will be cremated in Oregon and her ashes will be buriedin Cleveland next to her husband Kenneth. There will be no services in Cleveland, though thefamily is planning a memorial service for next spring at the Village at Forest Glen in Oregon onwhat would have been her 97th birthday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Village atForest Glen, 13775 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Beaverton, OR 97008.