ErmaDeanne Boyer Rantz

ErmaDeanne B. Rantz passed away on February 17, 2026 at the age of 100 after living a remarkably active and personally rewarding life, and sharing over 75 years in marriage with her husband, Colonel Richard C. Rantz.

ErmaDeane was born at Winchester, ID on August 30th, 1925 to Audrey and Lloyd Boyer. At and early age her family moved to Ione, Washington where she graduated from grade school, and Ione High School in 1943. She attended Washington State College during the war years, from 1943 to 1947, majoring in history. She worked in a college dining hall as a waitress for one year, then as head-waitress for two years, which included handling the students' war ration books, and earning fifty cents per hour.  Additionally, in her Junior and Senior years, she read and corrected exam papers for two professors to help meet college expenses in order to achieve a BA in History. There, in the fall of 1946, she met her future husband, a fellow history major classmate, and returning WWII Veteran. They were married in New York City on October 18th, 1947.

Shortly following their marriage, Richard received notice of his selection for a Regular Army Officer's Commission, and was recalled to active military service. There followed Ermadeanne, a near 30 year career as an Army Wife, involving some 14 moves of household to various duty stations in the U.S. and abroad, including tours in Guam, Alaska, France, Germany and Belgium. She managed superbly to recreate a well-managed family home at each duty station, and to give birth to two sons, Thomas in 1952 in Ft. Eustis, VA and John at Fortress Monroe, VA in 1955, whose upbringing and education were her focus while Richard concentrated on his military duties.

Following his retirement, Richard was selected to a position as a member of the NATO Headquarters Executive Secretariat, where he served until 1980. During this entire 10 years in Brussels, ErmaDeanne was active as a Red Cross volunteer and was able to accompany Richard on many business trips to most NATO countries, and to share frequent European vacations. In 1980, ErmaDeanne and Richard chose Bellingham for their retirement, and moved to Sudden Valley to make their home. In the following years, they actively pursued their shared hobbies of rock and mineral and mushroom collecting and racked up many miles in their "Pop-Top" Volkswagen Camper for that purpose. They joined the Mt. Baker Rock and Gem Club and were active and enthusiastic members of that club for more than 30 years.

ErmaDeanne is survived by her son John R. Rantz, his wife, Mary Ann and their two sons, Jack and Rocky Rantz. Her family and many friends will miss her greatly, while always remembering and being grateful for all the she contributed to them and to their lives.