| Date of Birth | May 11, 1929 |
| Date Deceased | August 18, 2023 |
| Hometown | Hammondsport |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | August 30, 2023 |
| Service Time | 11 a.m. |
| Service Location | St. Gabriel's Church, Hammondsport |
| Interment Location | Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Bath |
SFC Marjorie Theresa Rinke (Ret)
(1929-2023)
Sergeant First Class SFC (Ret) Marjorie Theresa Rinke of Anniston, AL, age 94, passed away on August 18, 2023, at the Veterans Medical Center in Bath, NY, where she had resided for the last several years. ‘Theresa’ as she was known to everyone, was born in Dolgeville, NY on May 11, 1929, to Reinhardt Rinke and Helene Sawicki Rinke. At the age of 11, Theresa came to live in Corning, NY with Rudolf Karl Rinke and Anna Veronika Koch Rinke, her aunt and uncle.
Theresa graduated from Northside High School in 1948 and was employed at the Corning Glass Works through February 1955, when she enlisted in the United States Army, joining the Woman’s Army Corps at the age of 26, completing Basic Training at Fort McClellan, AL. SFC Rinke experienced tours of duty in Europe and Asia-Pacific, including Korea, Japan and Vietnam, as well as stateside.
During the Vietnam War, Marjorie saw action as an Operations Seargent between 1969 to 1971. For her efforts in Vietnam, SFC Rinke was awarded the Bronze Star for outstanding efforts and achievements, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
During her long military career, SFC Rinke attained Sharpshooter status with the M1 carbine, the M14 and later, the M16 semi-automatic rifle. She was awarded Meritorious Unit Commendations, four Overseas Service Bars, the Good Conduct Metal, and the Army Commendation Metal.
One of SFC Rinke’s favorite assignments was Japan, where she returned to in 1972. As both a civilian and soldier, SFC Rinke enjoyed Japan, it’s people and culture. Prior to that reenlistment, she requested a pre-enlistment agreement allowing her to continue to serve in Japan for the next 3 years. Afterward, SFC Rinke spent her final military years serving stateside prior to retirement in January 1978.
“Rinke” as she was known to her friends, was very outgoing and fun loving, and enjoyed participating in most sports. She loved serving in the Women’s Army Corps and made many lifelong friends whose company she enjoyed in retirement in Anniston, AL.
SFC Rinke is predeceased by her cousin Loretta Anna Rinke Kornuszko and sister Gertrude Rinke. She is survived by her brother, Garhart Rinke of CA; close cousins Dr. Margaret Kornuszko-Story (Richard), Keaton and Annabella of Hellertown, PA and Hammondsport, NY, and Dr. Edward V. Kornuszko of Sanford, FL and Hammondsport NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday (August 30, 2023) at St. Gabriel’s Church, 78 Shethar St., Hammondsport, NY. The burial service will follow immediately at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Bath, NY.
The Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, 35 Main St., HAMMONDSPORT is honored to assist Theresa’s family with the arrangement.
Online condolence or remembrance of Theresa are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
I met SFC Rinke when I was assigned to the WAC Company At Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in June 1968. Oh my goodness what a whirlwind she was. Probably the most fun loving and humorous NCO I’ve ever met. She had a tough exterior but she was a sweet marshmallow. We shared so many laughs and she made my transition from enlisted ranks to the officer corps. I will never forget her and remember her with the greatest affection and respect.