Joyce Reinig
Cambridge, Nebraska - Joyce Arlene (Wolfe) Reinig, 95, passed into Eternal Life on February 8, 2025. She was born on January 28, 1930 in Cambridge, Nebraska. She was the oldest of four children born to Darrel and Beulah (Woolman) Wolfe. Her family moved frequently but stayed in the Nebraska area.
Because the family moved around a lot, Joyce attended many different schools. When she was a freshman, she lived with her piano teacher to finish out the year. Her last 3 years of high school were in a place she called home. She completed 12 hours of college in the “big city” which, at the time, qualified her to teach in a one-room schoolhouse.
Joyce took her first job as a school teacher at age 17, but met her husband, John, while she was working at a local restaurant over the summer break. They were married in 1948. She was a housewife and mother of 7 children, 1 of whom died as an infant. The family settled in OKC in the late 50’s where she continued to live the rest of her days.
Joyce was a girl scout leader, secretary/treasurer for her bowling team from Christ the King Church, and quilting advisor at St. Charles Borromeo Church. She was a genealogist before genealogy was cool. She researched and documented relatives back a few hundred years.
Joyce enjoyed crafting, painting (including a mural on their large living room wall), intricate paper cutting, crocheting and sewing. She, like her mom, created many beautiful quilts. As was her mom’s tradition, she created many beautiful quilts for each grandchild until she was unable to do so.
Joyce was an excellent pianist. She enjoyed singing and earned the spot of a soloist at the Christmas Eve Service one year at Christ the King where the family were members for many years. Upon relocating to a different area of Oklahoma City, Joyce and John became members at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
The Reinig family was a game-playing family and pinochle was one of the favorites. Joyce and John invited friends over for pinochle for regular game night. Eventually most of the kids learned to play and it became a favorite activity at family get-togethers.
Joyce and John enjoyed traveling all over the United States in their RV. They covered 31 states, 62,000 miles.
Their love and devotion to their children and grandchildren serves as a great example of good people. They celebrated 75 years of marriage in 2023.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband, John; her parents; her brother, Del Wolfe; and three children, Stephen, Carolyn (Webb), and Walter “Wally.” She leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories with her sister, Ilma Gaffney; brother, Rex Wolfe; children, Linda Sefcik, Mary Ellen Singleton (Scott), Peggy Vogt (Steve), and Jeff Reinig (DeAnn); and many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2:00pm at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Oklahoma City with Father Cory Stanley officiating. Burial will follow in Resurrection Memorial Cemetery. Viewing will begin at 1:00pm prior to the service. To share a memory or condolence, visit www.mercer-adams.com.
