Steffie D. Rhiel, 86, a lifelong resident of Swoyersville, passed into eternal life unexpectedly on Thursday morning, January 26, 2017, at her home.

Her beloved husband was the late Wesley M. Rhiel, who passed away on April 16, 2010. Wesley and Steffie were blessed to share 52 beautiful years of marriage.

Born on April 08, 1930, in Swoyersville, Steffie was the youngest of four daughters born to the late Stanley Kielan and Aniela V. “Nellie” (Potera) Kielan.

A devoted homemaker most of her life, Steffie lovingly tended to the daily needs of her home and family. In her earlier years, she worked as a seamstress in the local garment industry. She loved to cook and bake, and she was famous for her vast collection of recipes. She and her husband also enjoyed canning from their garden every year.

Steffie was a faithful Catholic and lifelong member of the former Saint Mary of Czestochowa Church, Swoyersville. Following the consolidation of her church, she became a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Parish, Swoyersville.

As she was raising her children, Steffie took great pride in supporting all their endeavors and sporting activities, especially mini football, little league, and basketball. That same support carried over to her grandchildren, and even if she couldn’t be there in person, she was supporting them through prayer.

For many years Steffie was a member of a card club with her lifelong girlfriends, and she loved their Thursday evening get-togethers to play countless games of Michigan Rummy.

The holidays were special to Steffie and she loved having her home filled with her loved ones. She enjoyed keeping her family’s holiday traditions, most especially the traditional Polish Christmas Eve supper, Wigilia, and she proudly passed on the traditions to her family. She also enjoyed sharing her ethnic recipes, and enjoyed involving her family in her annual pierogie making, with which, in recent years, she was the “quality control inspector”.

Although Steffie’s presence will be deeply missed, her family is comforted in knowing that she is reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband, Wesley; her father, Stanley, who passed when she was only seven months old; and all her other family and friends who have gone before her.

The Rhiel Family wishes to extend their most sincere thanks to Steffie’s caregiver and dear friend, Chrissy Verga, from Erwine Home Health for not only providing Steffie with outstanding care, but for continuously going above and beyond the call of duty!

In addition to her parents, Stanley and Nellie Kielan, and her husband, Wesley, Steffie was preceded in death by her sisters, Helen Madar, Josephine Laskaris and Stella Marut.

Steffie is survived by her children, Wesley Rhiel and his wife, Susan, Gahanna, Ohio; JoAnn Dombroski and her husband, Joe, New Kent, Virginia; Kenneth Rhiel and his wife, Diane, Luzerne; Mary Ann Pepsis and her husband, Robert, Swoyersville; Joseph Rhiel and his wife, Yasmyne, Suffolk, Virginia; her eleven grandchildren,  Thomas Rhiel and his fiancée, Betsy Morais; Andy Rhiel; Joseph  Dombroski; Jessica Dombroski and her fiancé, Kevin Keller; Joshua Dombroski; Jacob Dombroski and his wife, Lindsay; Kellie and Kayla Rhiel; Rob and Amanda Pepsis; and Sarah Rhiel; her three great-grandchildren, Berkley, Talley, and Jacob Dombroski; her dear niece, Carol Laskaris; as well as her nieces, nephews, and friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at 9:30 AM from the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with the Reverend Joseph J. Pisaneschi, her Pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville.

Family and Friends are invited to call on Monday, January 30, 2017, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at the funeral home.

For additional information or to send the Rhiel family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home website at www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Steffie’s memory to Erwine Home Health and Hospice Inc., 270 Pierce Street, Suite 101, Kingston, Pennsylvania 18704.