Joanne Elizabeth Rinke, 75, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, died Wednesday, September 15, 2021, due to cancer. She was born January 9, 1946, in Clarksville, Arkansas, the first child of Ed and Florine (Spanke) Rinke. Joanne was a 1964 graduate of St. Scholastica Academy in Fort Smith. She was a Medical Laboratory Tech at Mercy Hospital (St. Edward) Fort Smith, and retired after more than 43 years there. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Joanne enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, telling jokes, baking and cooking, and collecting teapots. She traveled and vacationed in all of the lower 48 states, but what she excelled at was being the best oldest sister and best aunt anyone could dream of having. She is survived by two sisters, Virginia Rinke Ricketts and Karen Rinke, both of Fort Smith and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Ed Rinke and Steve Rinke, and one brother-in-law, Rob Ricketts.
Family will greet friends from 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Sunday with the Rosary to immediately follow, at the funeral home.
Funeral Mass will be 10:00 A.M. Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Pallbearers: Nick Gramlich, Rodney Riser, John Rodemann, Lance Spanke, Mike Treadway, John Weisenfels.
Memorials to Immaculate Conception Church, P. O. Box 1866, Fort Smith, AR 72902, or the
Gregory Kistler Treatment Center for Children, 3304 South “M” Street, Fort Smith, AR 72903.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18