Kenneth William Rankin (Ken) born December 30, 1949 left us suddenly on Monday, December 18, 2023 at Selkirk Regional Hospital. 

 

He is survived and sorely missed by Linda Ann (Barberis) his wife of 48 years and Stefanie May (Wikander) daughter, Douglas Wikander son in law, Mia Gail Ann, granddaughter and Liam Douglas, grandson, Alex and John Rankin brothers, Andy, Angela, Pamela and Holly step siblings.

 

Ken was so very in love with his grandchildren and had so much fun when they would come to visit us camping, at Winnipeg Beach or when we babysat. Nothing made him happier than Stefanie, Mia and Liam coming and visiting wherever. Papa is the shining star they say goodnight to every night.

 

Ken LOVED to go flying with Stefanie when she was doing her flight training. He was always her co-pilot flying to different towns for their $500 hamburger. He would always lean in because he was afraid of heights and would sometimes kiss the ground when he got off. He went on her Perimeter flights as well as WestJet flights but never got a chance to come with her on Air Canada, but a couple of weeks before his passing, Stef went up on her way home in her full Air Canada uniform, hat and all.

 

Kens best antics were with Stefanie’s dance recitals where he once donned a tutu and work boots to do a dance to Beauty and the Beast, which was way outside of his comfort zone - but he would do anything for his girl. We could never hear that song again without laughing. Weekly bingos to raise funds for Youth Dance Unlimited got him goofier and goofier.

 

Ken’s other passion was travel which materialized after moving to Calgary in 1976 when he became employed by Western Airlines then Delta Airlines and Mesaba Air. Officially retiring in 2010. He enjoyed it so much daughter, Stefanie became a pilot. Travels included Japan, Scotland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy, UK, Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, USA, almost all around the world.

 

His next passion was camping with the RV and the Good Sam’s Goldeyes group in Manitoba and signing up to collect 50/50s and being very silly. And from 1976 to 2000 we spent many, many weekends camping in the Rockies and hiking as a family and vacations driving to Vancouver Island and camping.

 

As you can see, he was passionate about his life, especially Stefanie, Linda, travel, being silly and fun, camping... he truly enjoyed life until he got sick in 2022.

 

A Celebration of Life for locals/family will be held in the Spring with a camping bbq and Irish wake theme.

 

When you look up in a starry night, raise a cuppa or a Bubly or glass of wine to him being the brightest star shining his light in us. He is out of his physical body but not far away.

 

Sincere thanks to Selkirk Hospital Surgery ward for their care to keep him comfortable his last days and to those friends who came up and talked to him. He heard you. And to St. Boniface Hospital and Selkirk ER who diagnosed far beyond where anyone else could. His illness/death was a shock as none of us knew how truly sick he was or for how long.