Estella Rannells

Estella Bridget (Heese) Rannells was born on March 22, 1928, to Frank and Estella (Weiland) Heese in Earling, Iowa. Estella graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in Earling. After she graduated she was a house keeper in Harlan, Iowa and also in Omaha, Nebraska. Estella married Francis Rannells on November 9, 1950. After the couple got married they lived on Francis' family farm west of Dunlap. In 1967 their daughter Sandra died of leukemia at the age of 14.

Estella was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Dunlap. Estella loved to garden, cook, and spend time with her family.

Estella died on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, at the Community Memorial Hospital in Missouri Valley, Iowa at the age of 80 years, nine months, and 23 days.

Estella was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sandra Rannells; two sisters, Margaret Book and Therese Swanson; brother, Joseph Heese, and infant sister, Madonna. She is survived by her husband, Francis (Fritz) Rannells; two sons, Rick Rannells of Dunlap, Iowa; Craig and his wife Kim Rannells of Omaha, Nebraska; daughter, Cindy Rannells of Council Bluffs, Iowa; three grandchildren, Kyle Rannells, Jayden Rannells, and Delaney Rannells; two sisters, Marie Blum of Earling, Iowa, Leona and her husband Richard Sondag of Portsmouth, Iowa; one brother, Francis and his wife Mary Heese of Earling, Iowa; brother-in-law, Mel Book of Earling, Iowa and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial
10:30 am Saturday, January 17, 2009
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
Dunlap, Iowa

Celebrant
Rev. Paul Strittmatter, SJ

Musicians
Marilyn Grote
St. Patrick's Choir

Honorary Pall Bearers
Joe Book ~ Pat Blum

Pall Bearers
Jim Roberts ~ Dave Sondag ~ Joe Heese
Jamie Swanson ~ Don Roberts ~ Dan Rannells

Final Resting Place
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Dunlap, Iowa