Bob grew up in south central Minnesota. His love for the outdoors was nourished from being raised on a farm and surrounded by a family heritage that included hunting and fishing. After graduating High School in 1974 he studied auto mechanics and became a specialist in the transmission industry. Bob and his wife Brenda committed their lives to the Lord early in their marriage, raised 2 sons and eventually moved from Minnesota to California and then to southern Wisconsin. Finding themselves as empty nesters, longing for the solitude of familiar country living, they relocated to Spooner Wisconsin in 2001. Together they enjoyed work related travel and a simpler lifestyle until the sudden illness and death of Brenda in early 2016.

Jeannine grew up in central Connecticut, with summers on the coast of Massachusetts. Her time spent on the beach, her passion for writing and photography, were a constant source of joy and escape from a difficult childhood. After high school she sought out a more relaxed lifestyle from the fast pace of the East coast. Jeannine and her husband Londe moved to Spooner Wisconsin in 1979 where they committed their lives to the Lord and raised 3 daughters & 3 sons. Immersed in a rich community of godly families, they learned to parent by example. Life seemed pretty perfect, but as we all know, life doesn’t always go as we plan. After a long battle with leukemia, Londe died in the fall 2011.

Bob and Jeannine met through a local grief group. Over the course of the 8 week support group a strong bond developed among all the members. Together as a group the decision to write a study guide helping others through the pain of loss was conceived and set in motion. The year long project deepened friendships and Grace for the Grieving study guide was published. During this time spent together Bob and Jeannine discovered a shared vision for ministering to others. With the commonality of loss between them, becoming facilitators for grief support was a natural fit. The background of Bob’s loving childhood heritage along with the pain and neglect from Jeannine’s drew them both into youth mentoring. Seeking God for direction, they knew His leading brought them together to serve others. They were married in August of 2018.

God inspired them to build a “safe haven” rustic retreat for serving the brokenhearted through grief support, a place for youth mentoring programs to gather and space for those needing sabbaticals. Stepping out in faith and prayer, Haven on Rice Creek non profit was established in December of 2020 and continues to grow as the Spirit leads.

“Like a stained-glass window, God is able to take the shattered pieces of our lives and create something beautiful for His purpose. Our part is to let the “Son” shine through those broken pieces into the lives of others… and He will bring hope and healing when and where it is needed”.

Walking by faith,

Bob & Jeannine Warnke

Psalm 32:8