Gerald W Rinne

In Memory Of
Gerald W. Rinne

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2016 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Cordova with Rev. Brian Tuma officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 1-8 pm at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend with the family greeting relatives and friends from 5-7 pm. Interment will be in Zastrow Cemetery, Cordova with military services conducted by the Cordova American Legion. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to any of the following: St. John's Lutheran Church, The Lutheran Hour, Gary Thies at Mission Central, Concordia University, Concordia Seminary, the Friend Rescue Squad, Nebraskan's for Peace, or donor's choice.

Gerald "Jerry" William Rinne was born January 23, 1926, in Steinauer, Nebraska to Arthur and Alma (Blume) Rinne and went to the loving arms of Jesus on Monday, October 24, 2016 at Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 90 years 9 months and 1 day - ten days after the death of his older brother, Delbert. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Elk Creek. Gerald graduated from Lewiston High School with the class of 1943. He joined the Merchant Marine in November 1944 and served as a boilerman on the U.S.S. Midland Victory during WWII and traveled around the world. As he was traveling through Nebraska on his way back to the Pacific coast, in 1946, his mother requested that he stay home as the war had ended. He seriously began to court the love of his life and was united in marriage to Mildred Marie Bartels on August 27, 1947 in Elk Creek. To this union three children were born, Shirley, Rex and Tim.

Having grown up on a farm on the Johnson and Pawnee County line, he loved farming. He had many jobs after his service time such as testing milk, custom haying, custom wood-working at Storekraft, delivering milk and finally working for Platte Pipeline which later became a part of Marathon Oil Company. He worked on the oil pipeline for thirty years until his retirement in 1986. In the early years the company moved the family often, and Gerald was away from home a lot. He transferred to the Scottsbluff-Gering area where he spent most of his last years. Taking early retirement in Missouri, Gerald and Mildred settled on a small farm where he became a gentleman farmer near Keytesville. His grandchildren loved spending time visiting and driving grandpa's 4-wheelers. His legendary gardens were remarkable, and his pond brimmed with catfish.

This loving couple were members of many Lutheran churches. Their faith in God and love of their fellow Christians were mainstays in their lives. Gerald served as elder and chairman in several congregations. He has been a very active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Cordova and practiced his faith in many ways. Gerald attended several bible study groups and rarely missed a Sunday or Wednesday service.

Prior to moving to Cordova, they celebrated their milestone 50th wedding anniversary. They said the house in Cordova was always their favorite, despite moving almost thirty times due to pipeline assignments. Even though Gerald and Mildred lived long distances from their parents and other family members including places like, Salisbury, MO, Deshler, Beatrice and Gering, NE and Lost Cabin, WY, they enjoyed traveling to see family members. Family was always important, and family trips involved minimal sightseeing, since the goal was to be with family.

Deciding to move closer to family, where they could spend more time watching their grandchildren play sports, they moved to Cordova in 1997, where they lived for eight years. Gerald again raised a huge garden and shared the bounty with family, neighbors and friends. Loving his farming activities as a child, Gerald became an active "farmer" helping many local farmers with harvest while living in Cordova.

Gerald relished watching his grandchildren's school and athletic activities in Friend, Lincoln and Appleton, WI. Gerald was an avid Husker fan, and he loved to cheer the St. Louis Cardinals. Pinochle was his card game of choice, and all grandchildren and spouses were tutored in the skills of this family tradition.

After Mildred passed away of a stroke on December 10, 2005, he wanted to move and although his children were concerned that he would miss his active lifestyle, he informed them that he could "loaf with the best". He moved into Friendship Terrace in Friend in 2007 and found many new friends. He loved to play pinochle and enjoyed the card gatherings and all types of activities, especially the monthly birthday celebrations. Fun and adventurous road trips with his daughter to see his growing family became a new pastime. Gerald joined the American Legion when the Merchant Marine had been granted veteran status.

He is survived by his three children and spouses, Shirley and Terry Gautreaux, Friend, Rev. Rex and Linda Rinne, of Appleton, WI, Tim Rinne and Kay Walter of Lincoln; seven grandchildren and spouses: Nathan (Sheila) Rinne, Joel (Mandy) Rinne, Josh (Miranda) Rinne, Dr. Keith Gautreaux (Dr. Shaleah Jones), Jeffrey (Kat) Gautreaux, Anna Walter, and Elliott (Katie) Gautreaux; 14 great grandchildren, Samuel, Simeon, Micah, Daniel, and David Rinne, Olivia and Gabriel Rinne, Jordan and Lydia Rinne, Ada Gautreaux, Emaline and Chloe Gautreaux, Owen and Adelaide Gautreaux, a sister-in-law, Dianna Shomaker, Albuquerque, NM, 14 nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Mildred, three brothers, Delbert, Lloyd and Keith who were a USAAF navigator and a USN pilot when they were killed in 1945 and 1957, one sister, Marilyn Paul, two sisters-in-law, Arlene Rinne and Leola Bartels, two brothers-in-law, Rev. LeRoy Paul and Eugene Bartels. With Family Greeting relatives and friends from 5-7 pm with Military Services conducted by Cordova American Legion SERVICES Visitation Thursday, October 27, 2016
1:00 PM - 8:00 PM Lauber Moore Funeral Home - Friend
814 Maple Street
Friend, Nebraska 68359 With Family Greeting relatives and friends from 5-7 pm Funeral Service Friday, October 28, 2016
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM St. John's Lutheran Church
200 Paris Street
Cordova, NE 68330 Graveside Service Friday, October 28, 2016
12:00 PM Zastrow Cemetery

Cordova, NE with Military Services conducted by Cordova American Legion