Dr. Harold "Pete" Rankin

MOUNT PLEASANT - Dr. Harold C. “Pete” Rankin of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, passed away on August 4, 2022, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Pete was born April 18, 1935, in Grand Chain, Illinois, the son of Harold and Daisy (Hill) Rankin.  He graduated from high school in Early, Iowa, in 1952. He received his pharmacy degree from Drake University in 1956, and medical degree from the University of Iowa in 1960.

On June 19, 1960, Pete was united in marriage to his lifelong partner, Janis Horne, at the Vermont Street United Methodist Church in Quincy, Illinois. Pete was a devoted and loving husband to Jan and father to their three daughters, Lynn, Cynthia and Laura.

Pete began his medical practice with an internship at the Delaware Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware and two years as a medic in the United States Air Force at K.I. Sawyer AFB in Sands, Michigan. He and Jan moved to Mount Pleasant in 1963. Pete served as a caring and compassionate family practice physician in the community for 35 years.  He also founded the kidney dialysis unit at Henry County Health Center in 1969, and was their director for 22 years.

Pete served his community as a trustee for Iowa Wesleyan University, president of the Chamber of Commerce, director for the Henry County Savings Bank, team doctor for the high school football team for over 20 years, and president of the Kidney Foundation of Iowa.

After retiring from his medical practice, he followed another passion and became a Master Gardener. Pete wrote a biweekly column, “Tip of the Trowel,” for local papers and was one of the founders of the Henry County Master Gardeners organization.

Pete was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He loved gardening, collecting Wedgwood, traveling, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed sports and was an avid Hawkeye fan. For 20 years, he and his wife enjoyed vacationing with their family at the Lake of the Ozarks. Pete was beloved for his kind spirit and gentle nature.

He is survived by his wife Janis; three daughters, Dr. Lynn Rankin (Steve Karlin) of Des Moines; Cynthia (Mark) Rauschert of Bushnell, Illinois; Laura (Paul) Bickle of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; eight grandchildren, Addie (Mackenzie) Mumey of Decatur, Georgia; Anne (Austin) Raisor of Felicity, Ohio; Matt (Emma) Rauschert of Bushnell, Illinois; Maisie Karlin of Boston, Massachusetts; Lucy Karlin of Des Moines; Sam Bickle of Charlotte, North Carolina; John Bickle of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Molly Bickle of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; two great grandchildren, Miller Mumey, Noelle Mumey; and a brother, Bruce Rankin of LaBelle, Florida. 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 10:00am – 4:00pm, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Family will be present from 2:00 – 4:00pm. A private family funeral will be held.

Pete and his family are very grateful for the caregivers at Sunrise Terrace and EveryStep Hospice who lovingly helped him through his illness. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation. Memorial donations in memory of Dr. Pete Rankin may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, EveryStep Hospice (www.everystep.org) of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and Sunrise Terrace of Winfield, Iowa.