Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.
//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/124474/124474-life-panel.jpg

Lillian Rinck

December 15, 1929 - November 1, 2018
Grand Rapids, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/124474/124474-01.jpg



Visitation

Sunday, November 4, 2018
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Service

Monday, November 5, 2018
11:00 AM EST
Lamont Community Church
14000 48th Ave
Coopersville, MI 49404
(616) 837-7210
Map
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Heartland Hospice
3230 Eagle Park Dr NE #200
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 942-7733
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/124474/124474-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/124474/124474-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/124474/124474-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/124474/124474-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg
Print

All who knew Lillian Rinck would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was a hardworking woman who was rarely still, yet she loved nothing more than using her time and talents to bring joy to those around her. Lillian was a devoted wife who exemplified what true love is as she tenderly cared for her husband during his time of great need. She was a loving mother as well, and there was nothing she treasured more than becoming a grandmother later in life. Someone who lived to serve, Lillian never wanted to burden others. Although she will be deeply missed, she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

The year 1929 is often recalled as the year that the crash of the stock market brought our nation spiraling down into the depths of the Great Depression on October 29th. The years that followed were anything but easy as countless Americans lost their jobs and eventually, their homes. It was just after that historic day in October that Frank F. and Bessie May (Lester) Frisinger were able to shift their focus to a joyous time in their lives as they welcomed the baby girl they named Lillian Marie on December 15, 1929, in Rural Watford City, North Dakota. Joined in her family by six siblings, life was rough in the Frisinger family as they struggled to get by. As the second oldest, Lily regularly helped with household chores and with raising her younger siblings. They found ways to have fun including having the neighbors come over to play cards. It was her father who instilled a strong work ethic within Lillian, and this would remain with her for the rest of her life. Sadly, her father died when she was just 20, leaving her mother with young children to raise on her own. After graduating from high school, Lily took a vocation class and learned shorthand. This helped her get a job at a bakery where the owner wanted her to take down the orders in shorthand, and she was proud to utilize her skills.

New and exciting changes were in store for Lillian when she met the young man of her dreams. His name was Robert Rinck, and they met when she was working at the Sweet Bakery. Bob always joked that he met his sweetheart at the Sweet Bakery. It didn’t take the couple long to fall in love, and with a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Lily and Bob were married. Since he made his career in the military, she lived the life of a military wife. This meant they moved often, and shortly after they married they traveled to Sacramento. Bob was the sent to Germany, and their adopted their son, Stu. While her husband was at work, Lillian enjoyed learning new things, taking painting and piano lessons. Bob and Lillian then lived in Minnesota for a bit, and this is where they adopted their second child, Becky. Bob was then sent to Vietnam for a couple of years during which time Lillian moved into an apartment in North Dakota. While there she received a general business associate’s degree from The Minot Business College. They then moved to Bowie Maryland, where they adopted their twins, Julie and Jeni. Bob was then sent to England, and while her husband was at work Lily started to enjoy history with antiques.

The Rinck family moved back stateside after Lily’s husband retired from the military. They settled down in West Michigan where Bob was raised. Lily then became a business owner of the Maple Valley Antique Shop as she had a keen eye on finding bargains and enjoyed fixing things up and reselling them. They also had a farm, and Lillian along with her kids cared for their horses, dogs, cats, goats, and pigs even though she was allergic to some of them.

As her family and friends can attest, Lily was never one to be idle. In addition to raising her four children, she loved playing card games, painting, reading, organizing family reunions, and gardening. When her husband was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2000, Lily became his caregiver, especially once he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a couple of years later. She tenderly cared for his daily needs as he was unable to take care of himself. Lillian took him to his appointments, took him along with her to her appointments, and when he was uncooperative she ended up having to reschedule her appointments at times - all without complaint. When his care became more than she could handle, her husband moved into a nursing home.

After her husband’s death, Lillian kept herself busy with her gardening, cleaning out the garage, and downsizing things. Her daughters helped keep her busy and also made sure she got where she needed to go. Lily’s daughter also brought her to visit friends and to church, and Lillian looked forward to game night once a week with her daughters. She did keep working outside, too, including pulling weeds by hand as she said, “Without hard work nothing grows but weeds.” Later in life Lilly developed dementia and required more supervision, which brought her to Yorkshire.

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Lillian Rinck made the most of every single moment. She never stopped worked from sunrise to sunset, even into her eighties. Lily was deeply devoted to her family, and her love for her husband, children, and grandchildren was easy to see. Always available with a warm smile or a kind gesture, she touched the lives of many. Dearly loved, Lillian will never be forgotten.

RINCK, Lillian, age 88, passed away into the arms of the Lord on Thursday, November 1, 2018. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert in 2013 and her daughter, Rebecca. Lillian is survived by her children, Stuart (fiancé Cynthia Stevens) Rinck, Julie (Brian) Siegel, Jeni Rink; and grandchildren, Nicholas (Anna Knighton) Siegel, Jonathan (Kirstin) Siegel and Ryan Rink. Also surviving are her siblings, Virginia (Don) Lund, Eva Olson, and Russell (Audrey) Frisinger; brother-in-law, Richard (Suzanne) Rinck; and many nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, November 5, 2018 at Lamont Community Church, 14000 48th Ave, Coopersville, MI. Friends are invited to greet the family on Sunday 5-7 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory to Heartland Hospice would be appreciated. To read more of Lillian's lifestory, archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook please visit www.lifestorynet.com.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/124474/124474-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/124474/124474-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/124474/124474-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/124474/124474-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg