Obituary of Kenneth E. Ranshaw

Kenneth E. Ranshaw, age 70 of 463 Highway One West, Iowa City died Friday, August 27, 2004 at his home surrounded by his family. At Ken’s request no services are planned with cremation services being provided by Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City. An open house for his family and friends will be held from 4 to 8pm Tuesday, August 31, 2004 at his and Shirley’s home @463 Highway 1 West, Iowa City, everyone is invited to stop by. In lieu of any flowers, his family request memorial donations can be made in Ken’s memory to Iowa City Hospice or Iowa City Cancer Center. Burial with his family present will take place at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent for Ken’s family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Kenneth Eugene Ranshaw was born April 30, 1934, in Johnson County, Iowa the son of George Albert and Bessie Marie (Hebl) Ranshaw. Following graduation from Tiffin High School, he attended the University of Iowa. Ken served in the United States Army. On May 10, 1959, he married Shirley Thomas in Tiffin. As a lifetime area resident Ken opened Ken’s Farm & Auto Store in Iowa City, later becoming the first discount store in this area, the store became Ken’s Discount, which he operated for many years. He was one of the founding partners in Western World. In addition to his retail businesses, he also was involved in a number of developments, including K & R Rentals. Ken’s family and friends, his businesses, and the Iowa Hawkeye’s were the spark in his life. He loved them all. His family includes his wife, Shirley; daughters, Karen Tardy and her husband, Eugene of Denver, CO; and Kathy Paulsen of Iowa City; son and his wife, Kurt and Laurie Ranshaw of Iowa City; five grandchildren, Shawn and Brent Paulsen, Jenna Tardy, and Katie and Zak Ranshaw; brother and his wife, Bill and Joanne Ranshaw of Cedar Rapids. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Ken’s family and his arrangements.