John Rankin

John E. Rankin 94-year-old resident of Brainerd, MN passed away peacefully September 29, 2019 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Baxter, MN. A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Monday, October 7 at Halvorson Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. John was born on April 1, 1925 to Edwin and Barbara Rankin in Mahnomen, MN then moved briefly to Madison, MN. In 1932 he moved to Brainerd where he resided the remainder of his life. He joined the V12 program and served in the US Navy during WWII as a navigator. He graduated from the University of MN summa cum laude in 1949. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Lillian Johnson on October 30, 1954 at First Presbyterian Church. John worked as a civil engineer for the State of Minnesota, The Two Harbors Taconite Plant, Rankin Engineering, and Crow Wing County. John enjoyed traveling including trips to California, Washington DC, Montreal, and Yellowstone National Park. His hobbies include going out to dinner and listening to live music, being a choir leader, aviation, and gardening. John is survived by his son, Paul Rankin of Brainerd, MN; a sister, Doris Mattson of Duluth, MN; and a nephew, Glen Mattson of Pillager. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews on his wife’s side of the family. He will be missed. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 64 years, Lillian, and an infant sister, Dorothy Irene Rankin. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to St. Croix Hospice. Arrangements are with Halvorson Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd.