Shirley L Rankin

A Celebration of Life for Shirley L. Rankin will be held at the graveside on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at the Oxford Cemetery, Oxford, Nebraska, with Pastor Kathy Uldrich officiating.

At that time, there will also be a ceremonial tribute to Shirley, by the Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard, for her love and commitment to nursing for over 50 years.  Her nursing career included, 29 years in Mental Health and over 25 years of service in Long Term Care.  Shirley treated everyone with dignity and respect, and was loved and respected in return.

Shirley Lyn Rankin, 95, of Connell, Washington, passed away October 29, 2023, at her residence in Richland, Washington.  Shirley was born in Oxford, on May 1, 1928, to parents, William Hobart Rankin and Grace Elizabeth (Crocker) Rankin.

She grew up near Oxford on the family farm, where she loved climbing trees and playing with her cousins. She attended grade school at District #33, then went on to graduate from Oxford High School.

In August 1945, she entered the Bryan Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Lincoln, Nebraska, as a member of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps,  (a state-side ready corps of nurses that could be called into the Armed services, if necessary, during World War II).  Following her graduation as a Registered Nurse in August of 1948, Shirley married Kenneth (Buzz) Engelhardt in September of that year. They lived in Hastings, Nebraska, where both became employed at the Hastings Regional Center.

In 1962, they moved to Juniata, where she loved gardening, fishing, and spending time with her family and friends.  Shirley worked at the Hastings Regional Center until 1977, and later moved to Connell, Washington, to be near her family.  She resided there until moving to assisted living in Richland, Washington, where she lived until the time of her death.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by:  her sister Hazel (Jo) Hix and brother Darrell Rankin.

Shirley is survived by daughters:  Debbie (Doug) Buss of Connell, Washington; Glenda (Terry) Coats of Giltner, Nebraska; and Karen Huebert of Connell, Washington; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-granddaughter; along with nieces, and nephews.

Those who wish to remember Shirley in a special way can make gifts in her memory to the Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard or to the Oxford Cemetery.

A visitation will be held in Washington.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.