Bud Rankin

Bud Rankin, 81 of Lodgepole, Nebraska passed away Sunday evening, July 7, 2013 at the Sidney Regional Medical Center in Sidney, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday July 11, 2013 in the United Methodist Church in Lodgepole with Pastors Ezekiel Koech and Leonard Suhr officiating. Military graveside services will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery north of Lodgepole.

Memorials have not yet been established.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney.

You can view the online obituary and share condolences with the family at HYPERLINK "http://www.holechekfuneralhomes.com" http://www.holechekfuneralhomes.com

Roy Burton ‘Bud’ Rankin was born August 24th, 1931 to Arthur F. Rankin & Eva B. Larson-Rankin, on the Rankin Family homestead 7 miles south of Lodgepole, NE. Bud spent his entire life working the family ranch except for two years serving in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1953-55, as a demolitions expert. He was honorably discharged as Corporal.

In 1959, Bud married the love of his life, Nancy Patricia Newton in Julesburg, CO. Together they raised two daughters, Faye & Rebecca on the Rankin Ranch.

Bud was a Gold Lifetime Member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and an Award-Winning Breeder for the American Quarter Horse Association and member for 64 years. He was Cheyenne County Commissioner from 1992-2012 & served on numerous boards and committees throughout the community.

Other than his life-long love and passion for his horses, Bud loved spending time with family and friends. He loved a good story and always had the time to share one of his own. His laughter was infectious & the stories never grew old.

Of the many interests and passions in Bud’s life, none compared to his love for his Lord and Savior. He accepted Christ as his Savior as a young man in the Pilgrim of Holiness Church in Lodgepole, a church Bud helped build. Bud sang all over the area for more weddings, church services and funerals than can be counted.

Bud is survived by his wife, Nancy of 54 years, daughter Becky Rankin of Lodgepole and daughter Faye & husband Tom Hall of Bar Nunn, WY. He is also survived by grandchildren Jessie Evans and husband Chris, Andrew Smyth, Katie Perry & husband Matt, Jeremy Rankin, Joshua Rankin and five great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by both parents and an infant brother.

Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations in Sidney is serving the Rankin family.