Thelma Reifschneider

Thelma Mae (Stromberg) Reifschneider, 89, of St. Joseph, passed away, Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 AM, Friday, February 12, 2016 at Saron Lutheran Church, 510 Main St., St. Joseph, with Pastor Joan Oleson officiating.  Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery in Baroda. Friends may visit from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday, February 11, 2016 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Thelma’s name may be made to Saron Lutheran Church. Those wishing to sign Thelma’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Thelma was born December 2, 1926 in Norway, MI to Arthur and Ellen (Nelson) Stromberg. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School and took correspondence courses in healthcare.  On April 4, 1946, she married Robert (Bob) Reifschneider in St. Joseph.  Thelma was employed as a nurse’s aide for Mercy Memorial Hospital for 30 years. A founding member of Kappa Theta Chi Sorority, Thelma loved helping others and volunteered her time at the hospital, church, and with her sorority sisters.  Her favorite things to do included flower gardening (roses were her favorite), spending time with her family at their cottage on Rush Lake, and spoiling her beloved dog Annie. Thelma is survived by her daughters, Suellen (James) Mischke of St. Joseph and Linda (Bruce) Huff of Stevensville; grandchildren, Robert (Debra) Mischke, Jill (Brian) Haboush, Jami (Mark) Koebel, Julie (Steve Vrablic) Mischke, Jay Hendrix, Andrew Huff, Aryn (Pedro) deValle; great grandchildren, Kaetlyn, Matthew, Megan, Jack, Taylor, Kirsten, Shelby, Mychael, Wyatt, Levi, Selene, and Brooklyn; and sisters Shirley Montey and Marilyn Klann.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; son, Philip Reifschneider; and granddaughter Cory Hendrix.