Joanne E. Rifenbark, 82, of Bad Axe, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at Huron County Medical Care Facility surrounded by her family.
Joanne was born January 16, 1934 in Woodsfield, Ohio to the late Lloyd and Bessie (Turner) Allen. Joanne and her family moved from Ohio to Saginaw, Michigan in 1945.
On December 25, 1951, Joanne Allen and Frank Rifenbark were united in marriage in Saginaw, Michigan. They had sixty one years of marriage together, until Frank preceded Joanne in death on May 4, 2013.
She graduated from Saginaw High School in 1951. Joanne was employed for several years at the Hubbard Hospital in Bad Axe and worked at Bad Axe Schools as a cook until retirement. She was a member of the Bad Axe First Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher. Joanne loved being with her family and watching her grandchildren grow. She also loved going camping and fishing.
She is survived by her three sons: Rick (Barbara) Rifenbark, Gary (Kathy) Rifenbark, and Jeff (Lori) Rifenbark, all from Bad Axe; five grandchildren: Jesse (Julie) Rifenbark of Lynn Haven, Florida, Alan Rifenbark of Saginaw, Adam Rifenbark of Allendale and Aaron Rifenbark of Bad Axe and Melinda (Ryan) McNeill of Fort Gratiot; six great-grandchildren: Katie (Logan) Gibbons, Calvin Rifenbark, Kiera, Ashlyn, Caleb and Garrett McNeill; one sister: Betty Lou (Leonard) Cliff of Saginaw; two brothers: Lloyd Allen Jr. of Saginaw and Dennis Allen of Pickney; one sister-in-law, Jackie Allen of Saginaw; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ralph (Helen) Rifenbark of Bad Axe and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service for Joanne will be 11 am on Thursday, February 11th at the First Baptist Church in Bad Axe with Rev. Jay Barsaleau officiating. Burial will be at Colfax Township Cemetery.
Visitation will be 2 – 8 pm on Wednesday, February 10th at the MacAlpine Funeral Home and 10 am until time of service on Thursday, February 11th at the church.
Memorials may be offered to the family discretionary fund or to the Bad Axe First Baptist Church.
Joanne's family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at the Huron County Medical Care Facility and Home & Hospice Advantage for the loving and excellent care she received while a resident there.
Condolences can be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com