The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Matthew Stoddard
July 24, 2008 at 3:33 p.m.
› Suggest removal

I was just told by his granddaughter Tawnee, that Cal Ranck passed away 2 days ago. She said there would be an obit in Sunday's paper.

Cal and Carole Ranck owned Go-Fer Foods forever ago, selling it to retire just over a decade ago, moving to Florida. I grew up “haunting” Go-fer's in my youth, along with many of my friends. It was THE hangout for us kids. When I returned from the Army in 1991, Cal had an opening and I worked nights there with my old roomie most times. When they sold he place, a few of us helped gut the place before the new owner took over & refurbished it. I still have a wooden Gopher from one of the walls hanging in my garage!

It was a great, down home place where you could gossip long before the internet, but you had to do in person. Yes, it was smoke filled, but it was a place I'll never forget. It was a place where the regulars felt for us when we worked on holidays, and some would even bring a nice plate of Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey to munch on.

Cal was one of the funniest men I've ever known. His sense of humor was great! He'd play jokes on us all the time & never in a mean way. When he and Carole went on vacation, they'd always bring back nice presents for their workers & usually had a great Super Bowl party at their house. He always treated us like family & I'll never forget him for it!

Rest in Peace, Cal! You'll be in the hearts of everyone who knew you!