Hannah Rinckey

March 18, 2011

TRAVERSE CITY — Hannah K. Rinckey, 89, of Traverse City, died Friday, March 18, 2011, at Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City.Hannah was born Sunday, May 29, 1921, to the late Charles and Minnie (Tyler) Kirk in Saint Louis, Mich. She married Mervin H. Rinckey Tuesday, Jan. 14, 1941, in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.Having lived in St. Louis, Carson City and Saranac, the Rinckeys moved to Traverse City in 1959. While downstate, Hannah was employed as a nurse's aide at Mary Free Bed Hospital in Grand Rapids. After moving to Traverse City, she had worked as a cook at the Pinestead Restaurant, and later in the elementary schools. Hannah was an excellent cook and taught her daughters and son, Lyle, how to bake. She enjoyed canning vegetables and fruit, and looked forward each year to the traditional trip with her children and grandchildren to Buchan's to pick blueberries, a tradition that the family has continued. Her love of reading, cooking, green thumb at raising vegetables and flowers will be treasured by her family. Her greatest joy in life was time shared with Merv and the family they raised together.Hannah is survived by her children, Merri Lee (Ronald) Stetson, of Traverse City, Marilyn (Kenneth) Craven, of Midland, Lyle Philip (Peggy) Rinckey and Jon (Lynne) Rinckey, all of Traverse City, and Russell (Suzanne) Rinckey, of Fife Lake. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Iva Bell Kees of St. Johns.Hannah was preceded in death by her parents and husband.Funeral services will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with her pastor, The Rev. Jane Lippert, of Traverse Bay United Methodist Church, officiating. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m., also at the funeral home. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens at a later date.Memorial contributions may be directed to The Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation.Please share your memories and condolences with Hannah's family by way of her online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.