Obituary of Joyce Marie Reinke

    Joyce Marie Reinke, youngest daughter of Abel and Alice (Wilkens) Vander Burgh, was born June 4, 1933, in Sheldon, IA. She spent her youth on a farmstead in the vicinity of Sheldon before moving with her family in 1940 to a farm near Sanborn, IA.

    She received her early education through the country school system, first at Matlock, IA, then at Sanborn. She completed the higher grades at Sanborn Community School, graduating from Sanborn High School with the class of 1950. While in school, Joyce enjoyed playing the piano as well as holding a chair in the saxophone section with the high school band. Following graduation, she was employed with the Sanborn Co-op Elevator handling various secretarial functions.

    On Thursday, January 21, 1954, Joyce became the bride of Robert Dean “Bob” Reinke at the First Reformed Church in Sanborn. During their 52 years of marriage, three children would be added to the family: David, Paul and Kristine. Along with keeping the household running smoothly, Joyce helped Bob around the farm as she could, took care of a big vegetable gardenand kept up with the kids’ school activities. She also made sure there was something good to eat in the kitchen – usually one of her homemade apple pies. She was a member of the Goewey Home and Study Club and the American Lutheran Church in Melvin, participating in Adult Bible Class, the ALCW group, and the Synod Companion Congregation committee which helps supply sewing machines for women in Africa. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for several years, sat on the Church Council, and took part in sewing quilts for mission work. After becoming certified as a CNA, Joyce shared her caring demeanor with the residents at Prairie View Nursing home in Sanborn for five years.

    Bob and Joyce had farmed northeast of Melvin, Iowa, and were members of that community for 40 years; in 1995, they retired, moving into their new home in Sanborn. Joyce now had more time for her favorite pastimes - knitting, quilting and cross stitch; she also did embroidery work for the Prairie View Auxiliary. Of course, all of this could be set aside if it meant sharing some time with her children and grandkids, or a visit with dear, old friends.

    On Sunday, November 24, 2024, Joyce passed from this life at the age of 91 years. She is once again reunited with loved ones who had gone before: her husband, Bob (2006); her parents, Abe and Alice Vander Burgh; her sister, Lucille (John) Hofman; her brother, Lloyd (Marlene) Vander Burgh; brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Jean Cooperrider; and brother-in-law, Maynard Reinke.

    Keeping her memory close at heart are her children: David (Valjean) Breinke of Carmichael, CA, Paul (Jill) Reinke of Elkhart, IA, and Kristine (Harlan) Van Beek of Sioux Falls, SD; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Clifford (Barb) Vander Burgh of Sanborn, IA; sister-in-law, Patricia Reinke of Flourtown, PA; other relatives and friends.