Terence Rank, of Lakewood, met his "expiration date" on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at Langlade Hospital. He was 58 years old. He was born on June 13, 1955 in Antigo, a son of Donald and Dorothy (Hayek) Rank. He married Kathleen Connaher on June 7, 1975 at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Antigo. She survives.
He was a graduate of Antigo High School with the class of 1973.
After high school he worked in Antigo as manager at Lee's Supervalu Store. In 1985 he moved to Lakewood where he purchased the Lakewood Supervalu, a store he operated to this day. During his tenure in Lakewood he built new stores on two occasions to provide larger shopping facilities. In 2001 his daughter Erin and her husband Dave joined him as partners. He was a member of the Wisconsin Grocers Association and in 2002 was awarded the WGA Grocer of the year.
Terry was a member of St. Mary's of the Lake Catholic Church where he held a position on the parish council, served Mass with his grandson Matt and assisted with the annual church picnic. He was a 28 year member of the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department Association and assisted annually in their Labor Day picnic and was currently serving on the Laona State Bank board of directors. He was a member of the Lakewood Area Chamber of Commerce, served as president from 1985 - 1995 and helped organize the Chamber Mardi Gras Festival for the past 20 years. In 2005 he was the recipient of the Melvin Jones award given by the McCaslin Lions Club in recognition of his service to his community.
He was a member of the McCauslin men's golf league, the MBAGA, and the Wabeno men's bowling league. He was a founding member and contributor to the Lakewood Scholarship Foundation and served as the Northern Oconto County Salvation Army representative.
He enjoyed fishing trips with his brothers and friends, winter trips to Sint Maarten Island with his wife, riding motorcycle, pontoon rides on the lake, canoeing and time spent with grandchildren.
Survivors including his wife are two daughters Erin (Dave) Seeber, Lakewood; Kittrick (Tony) Bley, Green Bay; four grandchildren Matthew and Adam Seeber, Delainey Rice, Liam Bley; two sisters Mary (Leslie) Rasmussen, Antigo, Angie (James ) Buckley, Antigo; two brothers Peter Rank, Hatley, Patrick (Maria) Rank, Madison; a sister-in-law Sandy Rank, Gillett; a brother-in-law Gary Connaher, Wausau; nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Ryan in infancy; a brother Dennis Rank; father and mother-in-law Ken and Ethel Connaher.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's of the Lake Catholic Church, Lakewood with Rev. Benjamin Sember officiating. Visitation will be 3 - 7 p.m. on Thursday at the church and 9:00 a.m. until the time of services on Friday at the church. A parish wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at church.
Terry's family would like to recognize those he considered his adopted parents: Ernie Brooks, Vic Piontek and Percy Knaub as well as the many friends who influenced his life.
The family encourages gifts of remembrance to be made to the donors local fire department, rescue squad or favorite charity in Terry's name.
Bradley Funeral Home in Antigo is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences at www.bradleyfh.com.
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Kathy and Terry were my parent's ( Bob and Mary Neufuss) neighbors for many years. Terry performed their 48th wedding anniversary ceremony dressed as a priest! What a guy!! Kathy, I will always remember when you greeted me with a hug the morning after my Mom's passing as I was walking around the block-it meant so much to me. I am sending a heartfelt hug to you now. We are so sorry for your loss.
i knew terry from the SUPERVALU in lakewood as well as through the family. i am at a loss beyond words that he is gone. such an amazing person! will always remember the dressing up for the mardi gras parades and the smile he put on everyone's faces just with a simple hi how ya doin?!
I knew Terry from SUPERVALU where I had a long career. I grew up in Oconto so I knew the food industry quite well in the surrounding area.
I always admired the total community involvement that Terry exhibited with his business.
The supermarket business that Terry developed did more than sell food, it was a community icon.
My condolences to the family, I know he will be missed by many people.
My son & I first met Terry in person at Karla's "Golf Outing" this summer at Sleepy Hollow mini golf. He gave us a bunch if sh** for being such awful golfers, and that made us feel like a real part of the community. After the event when we all met back at Karla's, we got to see that he gave everyone sh** and that made us all family. In just one encounter we could tell Terry was a great guy, and I am thankful I had the chance to know him outside of the store.
Kathy and family, Terry will be missed by everyone who walked through your doors. I can still remember meeting you both the first time I called on your store as a new sales rep. Both you and Terry made me feel very welcome. I observed how he personally greeted everyone that came into your store. He built a great business for the Lakewood community and always greeted people with a smile and a handshake. Everyone he met was important to him and that's what helped make him a successful businessman. I will miss his greetings when I come into your store in the future. My prayers are with your family.
I worked for Supervalu in Green Bay and Kenosha when I met Terry. I went to school with Pat. I remember talking to him about promotions he wanted to run one about aliens LOL We were really stretching imagination at that point. After leaving SV I would see Terry and he always remembered me. Very sweet man. I was shocked to read the news. May he rest in peace and may his family find peace too. Terry was a great person
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Terence. God Bless all of you during this difficult time. Tom and Sheri Jo Posselt
Dear Kathy and Family, when you moved into our community, you moved into all of our hearts. Thank you for being such a positive influence on all of us. We are so sorry for your loss.
Cathy and family, Terry "Ter" as we called him, will be sadly missed. We have vacationed in the area for years and always seem to go to store. It will not be the same to walk in now without the welcome or hug from Terry. With a heavy heart I am sending prayers to you and the family for strength during this difficult time. Our sympathies.
Kathy, Carol and I send our deepest sympathy to you and your family for this monumental and untimely loss of Terry. I meet many people on Cupecoy Beach throughout the year. Some you never forget and in addition some, including you and Terry, always bring a smile to my face when I see them. Terry will be greatly missed by many including us.
The 11 years we shared friendship while we lived in Antigo will always be cherished. We may live miles apart; yet time and distance never hindered our relationship. Watching Kit and Erin grow up, being there for them when Ryan was born, it's a friendship of love. Terry, you will be missed. You're an incredible human being filled with so much love, generosity and compassion. It's been an honor being part of your life. May you rest in Peace. God Bless your family. We love you.
Kathy and family we are shocked at the sudden loss of Terry. You two are such wonderful people and we enjoyed our time in St Maarten. You worked so hard on the "Packer Day Party" at the beach was a big hit every year. Our love and prayers are being sent your way.
While I was a mere acquaintance of you & Terry, Kathy, I can say he will be sorely missed on Cupecoy beach. So very sorry for your loss.
Kathy and family:
Please know that my thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Terrry was an amazing person, I most enjoyed his hat's with all of the hair on the beach in Sint Maarten. He touched many people and remember, the Best Friends are Sint Maarten Friends. We are here for you in thought and prayer.
Kathy and Family,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Terry was an amazing gentleman and accomplished so much in his life. I remember his laughter and how passionate he always was. He will truly be missed. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Enjoy all the memories and my God find you comfort.
Bonnie (Verhasselt) Morgan
Minocqua, WI
Kathy and family, I was saddened to hear the news. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathy and family...our sympathy to all of you..Will always remember Kathy & Terry from the first Super Valu--always a cheerful hello! I was lucky to have worked briefly at the store. Lakewood will be "less" without Terry..his presence was EVERYWHERE..at every event. So sorry..he will be very missed throughout this community. God comfort you.
Mary and Family,
I didn't know Terry, but I know you, Mary. I don't know if you will remember me, but we worked together years ago at The hospital in Antigo. My maiden name was Sue Woods, and we worked together in the office. I was just thinking about you last week and wished we could talk again, and now I see you lost your brother. You and your family all have my sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. I will send a card.
So very sorry to hear about Terry. He always had a smile and kind word or two every time we saw him, whether at a community event, the store or morning coffee at Karla's. He will be greatly missed!
Kathy and family, so sorry to hear about Terry. I started calling on Terry 30 years ago in the original store in Lakewood . Great business and family man. He will be missed.
Our community lost one of the best, now he is at
peace with a much needed rest. In all community
functions and affairs Terry could be counted on to
always be there. One individual to admire and one
to inspire
Kathy and family. We are shocked and sadened to hear of Terry's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I always enjoyed time spent with Terry and Kathy (remember the Caribean trip?) as well as the annual golf outing. He touched a lot of people during his life. He will be missed.
I only knew Terry through his great generosity to various organizations and clubs in the community. Always with a smile, always with a helping hand. He will be greatly missed by so many. His memory will always linger on. My sympathy to the family. May God and the Blessed Mother give you comfort and strength during this difficult time.
Sorry for your loss. My dad (Don) knew him and I was lucky enough to meet him through Mardi Gras tournaments. He was a great guy.
Kathy
Sorry to hear of your great loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathy, We send our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We will miss him greatly when we are there in the summer.
Fran and Dave Melton
Kathy, I am so sorry to read about Terry's passing. Out of respect for the memory of my dad Barley, and the friendship he had with your dad, I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I send my deepest sympathies' to the family of Terry Rank.
I only knew him for a short time along with his wonderful wife Kathy. As Kathy is and Terry was the two most kindest people I have ever met. Terry the best boss I ever had, I will never forget the wonderful Christmas Party he had for his employee's. You were a gift in my life. I will always remember you with all the warmest memories. Cara
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