Joanne Elizabeth Rypkema - Obituary
June 22, 1933 - August 10, 2024
Joanne Elizabeth (Zwiers) Rypkema, of Sandstone, died on August 10, 2024 in Duluth, Minnesota. She was 91 years old.
Joanne was born on June 22, 1933, in Hinckley, MN to Wilbur and Ruth Zwiers. She grew up on a farm east of Hinckley and attended school in town. As a young girl, she loved to be outdoors, gather wild berries, and help her dad cut up meat. She was always up for an adventure from an early age.
She met Ed (Bay) Rypkema at their church youth gathering and they married on May 22, 1950, in Hinckley. God blessed their marriage with five children, Jerry, Bea, Bruce, Nancy and Sharon.
Joanne was a devoted mother, grandmother and church member. She taught Sunday School for many years and volunteered in many church and community events. She sang in church choir and other musical numbers. She loved to fish, be outdoors, bake and cook for her family, and spend time with the people God put in her life.
Joanne and Bay went fishing in Canada several times a year for over 50 years. In the Fall they traveled to the mountains of Wyoming to hunt. Most of their trips included kids, grandkids and many other family and friends. They were always enjoying whatever adventure they were on in the converted school bus or later the motorhome.
Joanne and Bay spent many winters in Florida. They enjoyed hosting many groups of people in their home whether they were in Florida or at home in Minnesota. She was a fierce competitor and was always ready to beat you in a friendly game of Social Security or Dominos. There were always cookies in the cupboard, coffee or tea ready to put on, and plenty of candy in the candy dishes for the grandkids.
She was a patient teacher of the many skills she had mastered. She taught countless kids, grandkids and others how to can, sew, bake bread and make apple pies. She was always full of surprises.
After the passing of her husband, Bay, Joanne lived at Golden Horizons in Sandstone. She made meaningful friendships there and enjoyed receiving visitors often. She always had snacks in the fridge and cupboards for her small visitors and never had an empty candy dish. She was still making small craft projects and was ready to keep everyone supplied with potholders and dishcloths up to her last days.
In Joanne’s notebook we found a poem written by a family friend before his passing, she held these words dear.
If God should call me home today
I want you all to know
That Jesus’ blood has paid my way
I’m all packed up to go.
My sins are all forgiven
By the One who loved me so
I’m on my way to heaven
I’m all packed up to go.
There’s so much peace and comfort
In that place to which I go
I’ll be with Him forever
I’m all packed up to go.
So I’ll put my trust in Jesus
While I’m living here below
I’ll wait for Him to call me
Because I’m all packed up to go.
By Elmer Olds
She was looking forward to the day when she would meet her Savior face to face and be united with her husband.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Tom, and her husband Bay.
She is survived by her children Jerry (Muff) Rypkema of Webster, MN. Bea (John) Daggett of Sandstone, MN. Bruce (Lois) Rypkema of Danbury, WI. Nancy (Jerry) Weinzetl of Lino Lakes. Sharon (Greg) Olson of Sandstone, MN. 14 Grandchildren, 37 Great Grandchildren, and 7 Great Great Grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00AM at Hinckley Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Dennis Wadsworth officiating. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place following the service at Rosehill Cemetery in Hinckley, Minnesota.
Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services, Tatting Methven Chapel, Hinckley, Minnesota www.methvenfuneralhome.com