Mildred Florence (Blomster) Rankin

MADISON-Mildred Florence (Blomster) Rankin, age 93, of Madison died on Monday evening, Jan. 7, 2013, at home surrounded by her family. She was born on Jan. 18, 1919, in Superior, to Charles and Emma (Jonas) Blomster. She grew up in Superior, and attended Superior Central High School, graduating in 1934. She married Eugene C. 'Gene' Rankin on Feb. 9, 1940, and her engagement ring bore the diamond from the Diamond Belt he won as an amateur boxer in 1937. She was a member of the Lake Edge United Church of Christ and served as a Deacon, taught Sunday School, helped to organize adult education classes, assisted in fundraising, and drove parishioners to church that were unable to drive themselves. She was a member of Elks Lodge No. 410 and the Madison Curling Club. She was a blood donor and a volunteer with the American Red Cross and Monona Senior Center. She travelled extensively later in life, with the Friendship Force and with her family, visiting Japan, China, USSR, Greece, Brazil and Ireland, and spent winters in Arizona and Texas travelling in the family motor home. In her last years, she enjoyed the company of her many friends and dining companions at Capitol Lakes (formerly MainGate), especially her friends Betty Levine and Audrey Walsh. She is survived by her children, Gene R. (Katherine) of Madison, Michael K. (Russelle) of Mundelein, Ill., Carla J. (Daniel) Lynch, Coyla J. and Steven C. (Judith Utevsky) of Madison, and Annette K. (Paul) Siedschlag of Shiocton; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; her brother, Charles of Oak Park, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; her granddaughter, Lauren Rankin; her parents, Charles and Emma (Jonas); and her sisters, Ruth, Ethel ('Pretzel') and Violet. Funeral services will be held at LAKE EDGE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 4200 Buckeye Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, with the Rev. Lex Liberatore presiding. A memorial gathering will also take place at CAPITOL LAKES, 333 West Main St., Madison, at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday. Memorials may be given to Lake Edge United Church of Christ or Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, 7818 Big Sky Drive, Suite 215, Madison, WI., 53719, www.wai.wisc.edu. Memorials may be given to Lake Edge United Church of Christ or Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, 7818 Big Sky Drive, Suite 215, Madison, WI., 53719, www.wai.wisc.edu. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday. Funeral services will be held at LAKE EDGE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 4200 Buckeye Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, with the Rev. Lex Liberatore presiding. A memorial gathering will also take place at CAPITOL LAKES, 333 West Main St., Madison, at 4 p.m. on Thursday.