Obituary

Herbert Eugene Rankin, 97, of Des Moines passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Veteran’s Hospital in Des Moines.

Herb was born on a farm near Knoxville, Iowa on January 30, 1926 to Forrest and Verna Rankin. His family moved to Delta, Iowa where he graduated from Delta High School in May 1944.

Shortly after high school Herb was inducted in to the service with the U.S. Army and underwent basic training at Camp Hood, Texas. He was assigned to the 359th Regiment of the 90th Infantry Division as an automatic rifleman. He entered the war effort at the Siegfried Line and received a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained in a German artillery attack. He rejoined his unit after the war was over and was then reassigned to the 1st Infantry Division in September of 1945. Herb worked as an aide to Colonel Edwin Van V. Sutherland in the Palace of Justice for the Nuremberg War Crime Trials until May of 1946. In 2009 he took part in an Iowa Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. and had a memorable trip visiting the memorials there.

After the war Herb worked in Atlantic, Iowa as a bookkeeper. He enjoyed a career as an officer for 33 years with Schmitt & Henry Manufacturing Co. Also working at the company was a secretary named Nadine, who he married on September 16, 1950. Together Herb and Nadine had 4 daughters; Jacquelyn, Kimberly, Pamela and Sharon.

Herb retired from a real estate career and he and Nadine began traveling in their motorhome in 1990. They traveled in a couple motorhomes for 20 years, spending many winters in Arizona. They would also maintain friendships across the country during summer trips as well. Herb was serious about remaining physically fit, riding his bike and doing push-ups into his 90’s. “Sunday popcorn” and watching Iowa college sports were longtime traditions. Herb was a very proud grandfather and great-grandfather and always remembered the birthdays and activities of family members. Herb loved his family very much.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Marvin (Lorraine) Rankin, grandson Dakota Burke; brothers-in-law Gene Crane and Laurel Vander Pol; and son-in-law Ron Spooner.

He is survived by his wife Nadine; daughters Jacque (Tim) Meyer, Kimberly (Tom) Zielinski, Pam Burke and Sharon Spooner; grandchildren Nick (Amanda) Brockman, Michelle (Justin) Ackelson, Megan (Christopher) Lilienthal, Kelly (Kati) Spooner, Riley Burke and Hunter Burke; great-grandchildren Elijah, Emma, Ella and Easton Brockman; Drew, Dylan and Abigail Ackelson; and Zak West; sisters Maxine Crane and Nancy Vander Pol.

A visitation is set for 10:00 am on Thursday, March 23 at Iles Westover Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am with burial following at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel at 12:30 pm.

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