Carolyn Joan Rufenacht, age 80, went to be with her Lord on Friday, September 30th, 2016 after a long battle with cancer; complications were associated with multiple myeloma and congestive heart failure.

Carolyn was born on June 19th, 1936, to Kenneth and Angeline Brink in Lenawee County, Michigan. At the age of ten months, Ora and Blanche (Mull) Grieser came into her life where she was raised in Archbold, Ohio.  She had many loving family members in her life including her step-father Lee Oles, and her siblings, Clarice and Sidney.

Carolyn met her husband of 60 years, Donald Rufenacht, at a MYF function. They were married on June 16, 1956 and were blessed with four loving children: Deb Blackburn (Clayton), Julia Haase (Doug), Jon Rufenacht (Colleen), and Ricky Rufenacht (Kris).

Carolyn attended Archbold High School and graduated in 1954. She attended Central Mennonite Church as a youth and was married in Zion Mennonite Church. In 1972, she attended Archbold Church of Christ where she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized. Later she worshipped at West Franklin Church of Christ.

Mom was a classy woman who was beautiful on the inside and out. Nothing made her happier then hosting church parties, bible studies, family gatherings, pool and lake parties and she loved baking pies to share with others. From taking care of numerous family members, offering her home to those in need, and stepping in as a second mom to her grandchildren. Mom was a faithful servant who loved to give. As 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) states "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Mom was also known as a hard worker. She took on many roles over the years. Mom worked at several local restaurants, was a secretary and worked at many different local businesses. She was an artistic nail technician, drove school bus for over 30 years, was a horse show mom for six years and helped around the family farm (including driving tractors and collecting eggs from 10,000 chickens), all while being a loving wife, mother, and caretaker of serval elderly family members.

Mom had a beautiful voice and sang in a gospel trio with her two sisters-in-laws when she was younger. She loved spending time with her family at their summer Rose Lake cottage, as well as using her creative and artistic talents; home decorating, painting pictures, making fleece blankets, crocheting and creating flower arrangements were just a few examples of mom's gifts. She was also known for her good cooking and baking awesome old fashion cream pies and soft sugar cookies.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Donald and their four children.  Together they were blessed with thirteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Carolyn was proceed in death by her parents and Brother Sidney Jones.

Memorial services will be on Saturday, October 8th at 2:30pm at the West Franklin Church of Christ located at 8475 County Rd 26-2 (Fulton), Archbold, OH 43502. A time of food and fellowship will follow the memorial service.

It was Carolyn's wish to be an anatomical donor for the University of Toledo Medical School. Short Funeral Home in Archbold is entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Rainbow Hematology/ Oncology (FCHC) or West Franklin Church of Christ. Memorial envelopes will be available at the service.