Mazelle Rankin

Mazelle P. Rankin, age 96 of Cottage Grove, passed away August 28, 2022.

Private family services are planned.

Mazelle Pearl Rankin was born May 22, 1926 in Little Rock, Arkansas to A. Lester and Nellie Pearl (Wade) Whitfield.  She grew up in Little Rock but moved with her family to Minnesota in 1944 where she worked various factory jobs.  She was married on July 24, 1946 in Perryville, Arkansas to Willie Q. Rankin.  They made their home in the St. Paul area for a majority of their lives.

Mazelle enjoyed needle point, doll collecting and taking care of her dogs.  She was also a foster mom to over 40 children through the years and loved making a lasting impact on those precious lives.

She is survived by her children, Deborah Flaa, Diana (Mike) Flaa, Cindy (Randy), Eddy, Jim (Kerry); 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her husband Willie; son Bill; sister Dorothy Jean Richie; granddaughter Kelly Flaa and her parents A. Lester and Nellie Whitfield.