Helen G. Rifenbark, 84 years old, of Bad Axe, passed away on Friday May 6 ^th , 2022 at McLaren Thumb Hospital in Bad Axe.   Helen was born on September 6, 1937 to the late George and Tillie (Fisher) Ventline in Port Austin, Michigan.

Helen and Ralph Rifenbark were united in marriage on January 13, 1962 and were married for 60 years, before he passed away on March 30, 2022.

Helen was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. She was an excellent cook, having cooked at the former A&W restaurant in Bad Axe, and retiring from the Bad Axe Public Schools. She had beautiful flower gardens she loved to tend, she was a big fan of the Detroit Tigers, and she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and her two little companion dogs Peanut and Lucy.

Helen is survived by her children: Carrie (Dale) Byykkonen, Grace (Don Stern) Rifenbark, Paula (Michael) Couch, Michael (Kristen) Rifenbark; grandchildren: Krystal  (Chris) Mattice, Doug Byykkonen, Kenneth (Natasha) Johnson, Melissa (Charlie) Gardner, Maci  Rifenbark, Elle Rifenbark; great grandchildren: Aileena, Calin, Emmeric, Ari'anna, Karter, Natalie, Amari, Helena, John and Paul. She is also survived by her sister: Virginia Dropiewski and brother: Clarence Ventline. Helen was preceded in death by her brother:  Joe Ventline, sister: Stella Gorkowski, brother and sister in law: Frank and JoAnn Rifenbark.

The funeral for Helen will be on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Fr. T.J. Fleming officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe, from 3:00-7:00 PM, and from 10:00 until the time of service on Thursday at the church.

Burial will take place at St. Mary's Catholic Church cemetery in Dwight Township .

Memorials may be offered to The Thumb Animal Shelter in Elkton, as that held a special place in her heart since she had brought her beloved Snoopy home from there.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com