Karoline “Karin” Dannbauer Rhyne, 98, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 4, 2024, at the Levine and Dickson Hospice House, Huntersville, North Carolina. Most recently a resident of Charlotte, she was a long-time community member in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.
On April 11, 1926, Karoline was born in Regau, Austria to Ludwig Dannbauer and Anna Newirth Dannbauer. She met Thomas Clay Rhyne, Sr. during Thomas’ career as a Sergeant in the United States Army. They were married in August 1947 and moved internationally a number of times before settling in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania in 1967. Together they raised two children, Betty Karin Rhyne Jackson and Thomas Clay Rhyne, Jr.
Mrs. Rhyne was an active member of St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church. She enjoyed traveling to visit friends and family here and across the Atlantic Ocean including siblings, nieces, nephews, children, and grandchildren.
Upon moving to the U.S., she taught herself to speak and write fluent English by reading the dictionary and became an American citizen. Family Sundays were spent gathering around the television to watch Washington Senators and Baltimore Orioles baseball games. As an avid sports fan, she followed her favorites through name and team changes, never missing a Washington/Dallas Thanksgiving Day game.
Karin was known to all as a joyful spirit with a loving heart and an unwavering sense of humor and perseverance. Finding joy in every moment, she took loving care of her husband Tom throughout his illness. She also managed to visit the YMCA at least three times a week to walk on the treadmill and lift weights.
She is survived by her daughter Betty K. Jackson; two granddaughters, Jennifer Luth (Gustavo Browne) and children Owen, Jackson, and Giulia; Emily Dubay (Daniel) and children William and Brooks; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband and son.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 12, 2025, in St. Andrew Catholic Church, 12 N. Broad St., Waynesboro with the Rev. Christopher Onyeneke, MSSCC officiating. Burial will follow in St. Andrew Cemetery, Waynesboro.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, 12 N. Broad St.,, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania 17268 – https://osvhub.com/st-andrew-wbo/giving/funds.
Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro is assisting with the arrangements.
