After 94 years of life, Arlene A. Rinkenberger of Jefferson City, Missouri went home to her Lord at 9:00 pm on Saturday, April 1, 2017. She died peacefully in the presence of her children and their spouses at St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City, MO.
Arlene was born to Henry W. Rippel, Sr. and Anna E. Rippel in El Paso, Illinois on December 29, 1922 and married the only love of her life Lester M. Rinkenberger on July 23, 1948. Her parents, three brothers (Charles, Henry, and Clarence Rippel), and her husband preceded her in death.
Arlene graduated from El Paso Community High School and Brown Business College in Normal, Illinois. She lived and farmed with her husband in rural El Paso while working at Roth Luckert Insurance in Gridley for many years. After Lester's death she moved to El Paso where she continued working at the El Paso Public Library, retiring after 20 years at age 80.
Quilting and gardening were her passions and she was an accomplished pie baker. She enjoyed reading, playing cards, and being with family and her numerous friends. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, belonged to Woodford County Home Extension, Monday morning "Piece Corps", and the El Paso senior exercise group, Movers and Shakers, as well as several card groups.
She was a forty seven year cancer survivor who made friends wherever she went and was never afraid to try something new. She loved her family and friends and missed her husband every day he was gone.
After residing in El Paso most of her life, Arlene moved to Primrose Retirement Community in Jefferson City, Missouri last August to be closer to one of her children.
Arlene is survived by her children and their spouses Ronald Rinkenberger (Gail) of Galva, Illinois; Nancy Tammen (James) of Marion, IL; and Janene Gragg (Dennis) of Jefferson City, Missouri; nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 7, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church in El Paso. Pastor Jonathan Boehne will officiate. Visitation will be two hours prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in El Paso. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso is assisting with arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the El Paso Public Library or the American Cancer Society.
Online tributes and condolences may be made to www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com
Visitation
APR
7.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CDT)
Trinity Lutheran Church
El Paso, IL
Funeral Service
APR
7.
2:00 PM (CDT)
Trinity Lutheran Church
El Paso, IL
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