RINKER, Betty Jane

Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory Wickenburg, Arizona Betty Jane Rinker August 27, 1945 ~ April 16, 2012 Betty Jane Rinker, age 66, passed away April 16, 2012 surrounded by her family. Betty was born August 27, 1945 in Mountain View, Wyoming to Arthur W. Hicks and Edna Taylor Hicks. She is survived by her husband, Dan Rinker of Circle City and children. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 28th at 10:00 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with a Rosary being recited at 9:30 AM at the Church. ~~~~~~~~~ The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Betty Jane Rinker, age 66, passed away at home with her loving family in Circle City, Ariz., on Monday evening, April 16. She is reunited with her parents Arthur and Edna Hicks who preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband Daniel Rinker; children Rhonda Rinker and Quentin Rinker; grandchild Dannel Jensen-Rinker, great-grandchild Baylee Rinker; siblings Mary Jean Petersen and Allen Hicks; nephews Mark Petersen, Eric Hicks, Dean Petersen; nieces Gwen Wride, Tiffani Horton; in-laws Owen Petersen, Deanna Hicks, Ada Taylor; uncle Rodger Taylor; aunt Joyce Taylor; son-in-law Kevin Baldes; several great nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends. Betty was born Aug. 27, 1945 at her parents home near Mt. View, Wyo. She married Daniel Rinker of Lander, Wyo., at St Helen’s Catholic Church, Fort Bridger, Wyo. June 8, 1963. In life Betty enjoyed raising her two children, loving her granddaughter and great granddaughter, and living an adventurous life with her husband of 49 years. Betty had volunteered many hours to her church, community, and extended family throughout her life. In her work and volunteer life Betty had been a Head Start teacher, County Census Bureau representative, Avon sales associate, cattle rancher, corporate officer and co-business owner, community liaison for United Way; she held several offices in other civic and religious groups, and was cofounder of Unity for Life, a heart and lung assistance organization. On Dec. 1, 2009 Betty received a double lung transplant at University Medical Center in Tucson, Ariz., after suffering several years from COPD. With her loving husband, family, and friends at her side, Betty struggled through many medical setbacks after her transplant, but was always brave and determined, positive and cheerful, and supportive to her transplant friends and their families. A heart-felt thank you goes to Msgr. George E. Highberger of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and Hospice of the Valley for helping our dearly departed have comfort and peace for her last days with us. To symbolize her giving spirit and to continue her cause with helping people with heart and lung transplants, we ask that in lieu of flowers or gifts that donations be made to Unity For Life Tucson, P.O. Box 89782, Tucson, AZ 85752. Funeral services will held on Saturday (April 28) at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with a Rosary recited Saturday at 9:30 a.m. also at the church. A memorial service will be held for family and friends in Fort Bridger, Wyo., at a later date. Friends may offer online condolences at www.wickenburgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory.