Jerry Rankin Griesenbeck
Jerry Rankin Griesenbeck passed away on Monday, December 4, 2023, in Ennis, Texas. Jerry Rankin Griesenbeck was born in Rankin, Texas, on December 23, 1942, to Marshall and Josephine Rankin. She attended school in Rankin, Byrd, Bardwell and graduated high school in Ennis, Texas, on May 27, 1960. After graduation, Jerry moved to Dallas and started a career at Mercantile National Bank. She also worked as a secretary at Beverly Hills Hospital. She later joined Loeb Rhodes, a brokerage firm. After many mergers, and at the time of her retirement, the name was Smith Barney. She retired in 2009 after 32 years of service. Jerry worked for the same man, Ron Gard, for those 32 years and continued to work for him as a personal assistant, after retirement. Jerry was a member of Fundamental Baptist Church of Palmer and Austin’s “Old 300.”
On July 21, 2001, Jerry married her lifelong sweetheart, Larry Wayne Griesenbeck. They were married until the time of his death, January 3, 2013. Jerry is survived by 3 stepchildren, who she loved very much. Captain John S. Griesenbeck and wife, Annie, Stephanie Pivec and husband Jim and Carmen Bartosh and husband, Dennis. She is also survived by 11 step-grandchildren. She is survived by one brother, Joe (Bink) Rankin. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
Jerry had many friends, who she loved very much. She also leaves behind her special companion and love of her life, Cooper, a wonderful little dog.
Jerry’s family and friends were the best and biggest part of her life. She also loved cooking. Jerry was preceded in death by her parents, Marshall and Josephine Rankin, husband, Larry Griesenbeck, three brothers: Fred, Bill and Johnny Rankin, 2 sisters: Frances Hoyle and Polly Rankin and special niece, Kathy Lynn Turner and special nephews, Ricky Jo Rankin and Mark Hoyle.
In lieu of flowers, her very special request was to make a donation to Fundamental Baptist Church of Palmer, St. Jude Research Hospital, The Alzheimer’s association or the Potomac Valley Pekingese Club, a rescue. She would prefer to not have flowers sent to her service but help someone else instead, please.
A Celebration of Jerry’s life was held Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the J. E. Keever Mortuary Chapel, 408 N. Dallas Street, Ennis, Texas. Pallbearers were David Rankin, Randy Rankin, Steve Rankin, Danny Rankin, Doug Turner and Lance Watson. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Rankin and Stephen Griesenbeck. Interment followed in Elm Branch Cemetery of Bardwell under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.
