May 24, 1926 – December 4, 2022
Bud of Kamloops/Pinantan Lake, BC passed away peacefully, in his sleep, on Sunday December 4; 2022. Dad was born in Herbert, Saskatchewan to his parents Helena and Henry and was one of two children. He is now reunited with his wife Madeline Evelyn Rankel, who left us August 17, 2015. Dad was very determined to live his life out in the home that he and mom built. Dad had a wonderful life and it quietly ended in his happy place.
Dad was always so proud of his service to our country during the second World War. He still was in contact with many of his war buddy’s and was planning a trip to North Battleford,SK to visit the only remaining member of this exclusive club.
In his younger years dad worked at many different occupations: farming, trapper, truck driver. One winter mom and dad worked together at a winter logging camp in Fort St. John. Dad driving truck and mom as a cook. Around 1955 they moved to Grand Center, Alberta where dad went to work for Greschner Motors. That was the start of his career with General Motors. Moving to Kamloops in 1965 he carried on the GM path working in their parts department, right up to department manager. He officially retired in 1987.
Dad liked to be busy every minute of the day. For his whole life he had a passion for his garden. Hardly a day passed that he wasn’t out there puttering away keeping everything just the way he wanted it. He also claimed that he had the best garden! Dad and mom consumed absolutely everything they grew! Mom trained him well to create the best preserves of which he did right up to this fall. His specialties were jams and jellies made from everything imaginable.
He was an avid reader. Dad always stayed up to date on the latest current events. As he still had his driver’s license at 96 he would drive into town just because he could. He hunted (last deer was 2021 at 95 years old). Other than his family fishing was his first love.
The thing he enjoyed the most was spending time with family and friends. As the family circle grew he quickly became the families BEST storey teller. The reason he was so good at it was due to the fact that he spoke of all his life long experiences and everyone listened and always wanted to hear more.
Dad leaves behind his children, Tracy (Sandy) Rankel, Renwick (Penny), Rankel and Rob (Heather) Rankel his grandchildren Nicole (Steven) Dolson, Nick Rankel (Stacey Todd) , Kelly (Ben) Mezzatesta, Jason Wolfe, Kevin Wolfe (Lynette Berry) James Player Kody (Shania) Evans, Dayna (Don) Evans; Great grandchildren, Charlie (Dolson), Sadie (Wolfe), Caitlin (RJ) Bebek, Keirstin Groom, predeased Ryan Groom, Kiarra (Kolten), Kylie (Esscoffry) Player, Emma Player, Aurora Evans, Aiden Evans ; Great great grandchildren, Tyson Bebek, Miley Bebek, Zenro Pryce; and he also leaves behind his younger sister Patricia (Lindsay) Milne of Calgary.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for the spring of 2023 at the Kamloops Funeral Home.
Bud and Madeline will be laid to rest side by side in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan at a future date.
Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577
5 Tributes
Ren , Rob and families.
Very sorry to hear of your loss of your father Bud.
He was fortunate to have such caring family so close to share and enjoy his life with. Bud had fished more lakes in the Pinantan area than most even know existed. He had great success and always hungered for more fishing and hunting.
Memories he has left you are a reward for your caring efforts that you have shared with him.
Uncle Bud, You will be missed so much.
You were the best story teller, the best at teasing and telling jokes.
Your warmth as a down to earth person
anybody felt during conversations.
The twinkle in your eyes telling stories of Your Life with Auntie Madeleine and Your Boys.
You are now with Your Wife Madeleine and the other Family Members.
You will be missed and You will be thought of Always,❤ Love Janet Lynn Muxlow
Renwick, Penny, Rob ,Heather, Tracy & Sandy.
Our Deepest Sympathy
in the loss of your father.
We feel a great emptiness…
A brother In law, friend, like a great book closed forever.
We miss you Bud!
To the Rankel families and decendants of Mr.Albert Henry Rankel.
our deepest sympathies and condolences.
It is interesting that Mr. Bud Rankel was born in the same town as my father. My greatest respect is for his duties in the war for our freedoms. I wish I knew him better than the short time working in parts department but I knew two of his sons, Tracy and Renwick. Guys with honesty, integrity and character, loved and respected by all the lives they touched. RIP “Bud”. you raised a wonderful family, live long in our memories.
My condolences to the family at the passing of this very fine man.