Joseph A. Rinkenberger

Memorial services for Joseph Rinkenberger of Morris, MN will be held Monday, November 20, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Federated Church in Morris, with Reverend Matt Orendorff officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 -5 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Burial will be in Summit Cemetery in Morris.

Joseph Abraham Rinkenberger, son of Albert and Lydia (Hohulin) Rinkenberger, was born May 24, 1929 in Horton Township in Stevens County, Minnesota. Joe was baptized on September 9, 2018 at Federated Church in Morris by Reverend Lauren Snell Hauger. Joe attended school at District #26 in Horton Township, through the 8^th grade. Following his schooling, Joe started farming with his dad. On November 28, 1953, he was united in marriage to Harriet Roberts at Federated Church by Reverend Hanson. Following their marriage, the couple made their home on a 200 acre farm in Horton Township, where they raised their nine children. Joe lived on the family farm for 93 years before he and Harriet moved to West Central Homes in Morris in October of 2022. Joe loved to spend time on the farm so he continued to go to the farm and help his boys and neighbors every opportunity that he could.

Joe was a member of Federated Church in Morris. His many hobbies and interests were: welding, tractor pulls and parades, plowing B’s, swap meets, gardening, growing his own popcorn, ice fishing, hunting, roller skating, dancing to polka and waltz music and watching old western movies. Joe had a great sense of humor and loved playing tricks on his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He will be remembered as always having 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. coffee daily and helping others whenever he could. He will be missed by his many friends and family.

Joe died on Monday, November 13, 2023 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, MN; he was 94 years old.

Joe is survived by his wife: Harriet Rinkenberger of Morris; children: Randall (Neysa) Rinkenberger of Tripoli, IA, Dale (Betty) Rinkenberger of Morris, Doug Rinkenberger of Morris, Robert (Mary) Rinkenberger of Morris, Marie (Mike) Dingman of St. Cloud, Charles (Pam) Rinkenberger of Morris, Howard Rinkenberger of Hancock, Sharon (Arvin) VanEps of Morris and Lori White of Morris; 22 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren and one more on the way and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law: Floyd and Lillian Roberts; siblings and in-laws: Bernice (Melford) Ashbough, Marlyn (Verna) Rinkenberger, Art (Jean) Rinkenberger, Francis (Luella) Rinkenberger, Irene (Clarence) Lavallier, LaVerna Lesmeister and Esther (Raymond) Lembcke.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the Courage Cottage, the Stevens County Food Shelf or charity of your choice.