Beverly Barnes Rinker

Beverly Barnes Rinker, 86, died at Green Hills Retirement Community in Ames on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 from complications of Parkinson's disease.

Beverly Jane Barnes was born on February 3, 1932 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Florence Aldrich Barnes and Walter Edgar Barnes, and was welcomed by three beloved older brothers. She described her childhood as "the best of both worlds" – being raised in her mother's family home in the neighborhood around 49th and Grand Avenue, but also riding horses and tagging along with the guys at their farm in what was then rural West Des Moines. She spent her summers at the family cottage on Spirit Lake. She was a Red Cross swim instructor during her high school and college years, and taught many children how to swim on the shores of the lake. Beverly attended Hanawalt Grade School, Callanan Junior High, and graduated in 1949 from Theodore Roosevelt High School.

She left for Iowa State College in Ames in the fall of 1949, where she joined Delta Delta Delta sorority and participated in synchronized swimming. Before coming home for Christmas break, she was invited to a fraternity Christmas party by Bob Rinker. He later became her loving husband of 60 years until his death in 2013. They were married in 1952 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines and graduated together from Iowa State in 1954, where Beverly earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from the college of Home Economics.

Following Beverly and Bob's graduation from Iowa State, the couple enjoyed living across the United States as Bob served 3 years in the Air Force. During these years they welcomed their two oldest children, Margo and Jay. In 1957, they returned to be the 4th generation to farm the Rinker family land south of Beaver, Iowa in Boone County. It is here that they completed their family with Rex, Mark and Michelle. Beverly was a full-time homemaker, a Cub Scout and Camp Fire leader, was active in her kids' 4-H, the Community United Methodist Church in Ogden, the Tri-Delta Alumnae group, and Questers. Over 2 decades, Beverly and Bob enjoyed hosting exchange students with the American Field Service and from the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents; her three brothers Stewart, Barney and Barry; her husband, Oliver Doran "Bob" Rinker (2013) and her son, Jay Perry Rinker (2012). Her loving spirit is missed by her daughter Margo Rinker Magill and husband John of Atlantic; daughter-in-law Kim Rinker of Ogden; son Rex Barnes Rinker and wife Sheryl of West Des Moines; son Mark Oliver Rinker and wife Marti of Seattle, WA; daughter Michelle Rinker Mahoney and husband Craig of West Des Moines, 16 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, her brothers' wives Sharon Barnes, Josephine Barnes Watson and Carol Barnes, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Beverly's children wish to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful caregivers at Green Hills Retirement Community, who Mom enjoyed and loved like family for almost 4 years.

Visitation will be Thursday evening, May 24, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday morning, May 25, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Gary Hoyt officiating. Both will be held at the Community United Methodist Church, 337 SW 2nd St., Ogden, Iowa. Interment will be in the Beaver Cemetery north of Beaver, Iowa. For online obituaries and condolences please visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

For those who care to make a memorial gift in Beverly's name, the following are meaningful to her and her family: Community United Methodist Church, the Beaver Cemetery, Iowa State University / College of Human Sciences, and the Green Hills Residents' Association.