James Louis Rankin

James Louis Rankin, age 63, of rural Colton, died on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at his home. Memorial services will begin at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, October 11 at St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church, rural Colton.


James was born on November 10, 1943 to Louis and Catherine (Winset) Rankin at St. Catherine’s Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. He enlisted in the United states Marine Corp, serving six years.


James worked in Omaha until moving to South Dakota. He worked for Terrace Park Dairy, Land O’Lakes and Dean Foods for over 35 years. On June 28, 1970, James married Valdena Hagemann.
James liked spending time at his family’s cabin and water skiing. He also enjoyed living on and taking care of his acreage near the Buffalo Trading Post.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Val of rural Colton; a sister, Sara (Richard) Stevenson of Sheffield, Iowa; a brother, Larry (Martha) Rankin of Omaha, Nebraska; three sisters-in-law: LaVayne Hutchinson, Madison, South Dakota; Karine Hagemann, Ramona, South Dakota; and Beatrice Wadsworth, Phoenix, Arizona; two brothers-in-law, Larry Hagemann, Howe, Texas and Curtis Hagemann, Hutchinson, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
James was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law.