A celebration of life for Barry William Rink will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, February 28, 2014 at Macken Funeral Home River Park Chapel.   Sacristan Sister Kathleen Marie Welscher will officiate a prayer service at 7:00 pm.

Barry Rink, 65, passed away on Monday, February 24, surrounded by his family and friends. Barry battled his pancreatic cancer like he lived his life – with grace, dignity and stubborn strength.  The family is deeply appreciative of Mayo Hospice for their support and expertise.

Barry was born at Saint Marys Hospital on January 8, 1949, to Arthur and Shirley (Zelmer) Rink.  He graduated from Byron High School in 1968.  He was a Vietnam veteran.  He married Georgina Welscher on January 17, 1976, and they began their life together in Byron.

Barry worked as a dairy farmer for 30 years, following which he worked for various companies, his most recent position being a bus driver for the Byron School District.   Barry pursued his passion for growing vegetables and flowers and working with the family's horses.  Barry also enjoyed fishing and deer hunting.

Survivors include his wife and their four children, Nicolas (Jamie Behnken) Rink and daughter Megan (Byron), Michael Rink (Byron), David (Tracy Luhmann) Rink and daughters Lydia and Claire (Rochester), and Catherine Rink and son Weston (Byron), his mother, Shirley (Rochester), two brothers, Jeffrey (Cathy) Rink (Hastings MN), Arthur (Kathy) Rink (Sussex WI), and three sisters Carol (Harry) Sharp (Hollywood FL), Linda Santoro (Byron), and Mary Rink, (Sioux Falls).  He is preceded in death by his father.

Memorials are preferred to American Cancer Society (Relay for Life – Fishing to Fight Cancer) or Channel One.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com