1932
Fr.
2017
Fr. Ronald Rank
August 26, 1932 — May 24, 2017
Fr. Ronald G. Rank, 84 of Marshall, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at his home in Marshall.
Fr. Ron was born on August 26, 1932 in Chicago, IL the son Joseph and Clara (Quavier) Rank. Fr. Ron attended St. Benedict Catholic Prepatory School through 8th grade. After attending St. Benedict Preparatory School in Chicago, Illinois, Father Rank entered the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio, where he studied Philosophy and Theology. Father Ron held education in the highest regard and he continued his education at the University of Wisconsin where he earned M.A.'s in Latin and Scripture, and at Salve Regina University, Rhode Island, where he earned an M.A. in Holistic Counseling. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Amleto G. Cicognani, Apostolic Delegate to the United States on June 10, 1958 at St. Turibius Chapel, Pontifical College Josephinum, Worthington.
Father Rank began serving the Diocese of Madison as Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick Parish, Madison; St. Bernard Parish, Middleton, and St. Joseph Parish, Stoughton. He was Pastor of St. Clement Parish, Lancaster and at St. Joseph Parish, Waterloo, from which he retired in 2002. During his years of service to the Diocese of Madison, Father Rank served as Assistant to the Chancellor; Instructor at Queen of Apostle Seminary and at Edgewood High School, Madison; Faculty and Dean of Studies at Holy Name Seminary, Madison, and as an Advisor to charismatic Prayer Groups throughout the diocese. Fr. loved reading westerns, listening to classical music, studying scripture and running (lately walking). He had a servant's heart and used his knowledge of Holy Scripture to help point people to Christ. He is known to say "Choose to believe what gives you life". His desire to connect with people brought deep meaning to his life. Fr. Ron loved children and took great pleasure in seeing those kids grow. He will be dearly missed.
Fr. Ron is survived by: his brother George (Judy) Rank, Nieces Ananda (Toby Burnham) Kramer, Sheri Townley, Mary (Al) Gadomski, Kathy (Bruce) Cobb, and Jackie (Todd) Burch; Nephews Peter (Kathy Gibson) Kramer, Rob (Kit) Townley, George (Kathy) Rank and Joe Rank. Fr. Ron is also survived by a number of other relatives and many friends and clergy.
He is preceded in death by: his parents, brother Jack Rank, sister Margaret Kramer, sister Genevieve Townley, and nephew Randy Townley.
Memorials in Fr. Ron's honor may be made to Marshall or Waterloo Libraries and Marshall or Waterloo EMT's.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at St. Joseph's Church of Holy Family Parish in Waterloo with Bishop Robert C. Morlino presiding. Visitation will be from 9:00AM until time of service at the church. Fr. Ron will be laid to rest at St. Joseph's Catholic cemetery following the service.
Fr. Ron was born on August 26, 1932 in Chicago, IL the son Joseph and Clara (Quavier) Rank. Fr. Ron attended St. Benedict Catholic Prepatory School through 8th grade. After attending St. Benedict Preparatory School in Chicago, Illinois, Father Rank entered the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio, where he studied Philosophy and Theology. Father Ron held education in the highest regard and he continued his education at the University of Wisconsin where he earned M.A.'s in Latin and Scripture, and at Salve Regina University, Rhode Island, where he earned an M.A. in Holistic Counseling. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Amleto G. Cicognani, Apostolic Delegate to the United States on June 10, 1958 at St. Turibius Chapel, Pontifical College Josephinum, Worthington.
Father Rank began serving the Diocese of Madison as Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick Parish, Madison; St. Bernard Parish, Middleton, and St. Joseph Parish, Stoughton. He was Pastor of St. Clement Parish, Lancaster and at St. Joseph Parish, Waterloo, from which he retired in 2002. During his years of service to the Diocese of Madison, Father Rank served as Assistant to the Chancellor; Instructor at Queen of Apostle Seminary and at Edgewood High School, Madison; Faculty and Dean of Studies at Holy Name Seminary, Madison, and as an Advisor to charismatic Prayer Groups throughout the diocese. Fr. loved reading westerns, listening to classical music, studying scripture and running (lately walking). He had a servant's heart and used his knowledge of Holy Scripture to help point people to Christ. He is known to say "Choose to believe what gives you life". His desire to connect with people brought deep meaning to his life. Fr. Ron loved children and took great pleasure in seeing those kids grow. He will be dearly missed.
Fr. Ron is survived by: his brother George (Judy) Rank, Nieces Ananda (Toby Burnham) Kramer, Sheri Townley, Mary (Al) Gadomski, Kathy (Bruce) Cobb, and Jackie (Todd) Burch; Nephews Peter (Kathy Gibson) Kramer, Rob (Kit) Townley, George (Kathy) Rank and Joe Rank. Fr. Ron is also survived by a number of other relatives and many friends and clergy.
He is preceded in death by: his parents, brother Jack Rank, sister Margaret Kramer, sister Genevieve Townley, and nephew Randy Townley.
Memorials in Fr. Ron's honor may be made to Marshall or Waterloo Libraries and Marshall or Waterloo EMT's.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at St. Joseph's Church of Holy Family Parish in Waterloo with Bishop Robert C. Morlino presiding. Visitation will be from 9:00AM until time of service at the church. Fr. Ron will be laid to rest at St. Joseph's Catholic cemetery following the service.
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Service Details
Wednesday, May 31st, 2017, 11:00am, HOLY FAMILY PARISH ST. JOSEPH
Interment Details
St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery
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