Wilfred Ewing Rinne

Wilfred Rinne Obituary

Wilfred Ewing Rinne passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning, July 9, 2016, after a recent illness.  Wilfred was 95 years old.

Wilfred was born on February 18, 1921 in Yuma, Colorado to Ferd and Lena Rinne. 

Wilfred grew up in Yuma and attended the Hammond school, six miles north of Yuma on Highway 59, right across from the Rinne farm.   He did not have the opportunity to attend high school as he worked for several local farmers to help support the family.  He was baptized at St Pauls Lutheran Church in Otis, Colorado. 

In 1940, at the age of 19 he moved to Denver, Colorado where he trained in the electrician apprentice program and worked at Schockett Electric where he helped manufacturer fluorescent light fixtures.  He worked at Schockett until September, 1942 when he enlisted in the US Air force. 

He completed his basic training at LeMore Air Base in California where he completed maintenance training for air base electrical systems.  A medical condition prohibited him from being deployed overseas so he served his country at various US Air bases as a mechanic on the A-26 and C-54 aircraft.  He was honorably discharged in February 1946 and returned to Denver where he worked again at Schockett Electric until 1950.

On August 17, 1947 he married Georgina Bader of Trinidad, Colorado at St John‘s Lutheran Church in Denver, Colorado.  They lived in Denver until 1950 when they moved back to Yuma where he began farming on the home place.  They had two children, Paulette born in Denver and Paul born in Yuma. 

In 1956 they moved to Aurora, Colorado and he worked at Brown Trailer Co where he built semi trailers.  In 1957 he began working at Zimmerman Architectural Metals in Denver as a structural steel layout mechanic.  He worked on various high profile projects including Mile High Stadium and various high rise buildings in Denver and San Francisco.  He worked at Zimmermans for 26 years until he retired in 1983. 

In 1959 he moved his family to a home in Thornton, Colorado where they lived until 1995.  During their time in Thornton Wilfred was a member of the Thornton City Water Board and he and Georgina were active in various community volunteer programs including the Thornton food bank.   He also obtained his GED high school diploma and attended Community College.  

From 1983 until 1995 he and Georgina enjoyed retirement and did a lot of traveling throughout the United States.   In 1995 they once again found themselves moving back to Yuma, Colorado where they lived in a condo at the Yuma Town Homes complex on East Petain Street. 

Never being one to just “sit around” Wilfred went back to work.  He and Lloyd Dressel did miscellaneous “handyman” construction projects around Yuma to “keep busy”.  He also worked at the ALCO store in Yuma for many years until 2008 when a fall and broken neck forced him into “final” retirement.  The injury forced him to move from the condo to Parrish Care Center where he lived until his passing.

The Lutheran church was a very big part of Wilfred’s life.  He spent countless hours supporting Mountain View Lutheran Church in Thornton and St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Otis through volunteering on various committees and boards. 

He is survived by his children: Paulette Anderson and husband Lowell of Eagle River, Alaska; and Paul Rinne and wife Becky of Phoenix, Arizona.  Grandchildren: Brett Anderson and wife Lisa of Anchorage Alaska; Tim Anderson and wife Teresa of Fairbanks, Alaska; Adam Rinne and fiancé Allison Tashlik of Yuma, Arizona; Colin Rinne and wife Megan of Tucson, Arizona; Julie Ross and husband Charles of Dallas, Texas.  Greatgrandchildren; Patrick Anderson, Lily Johnson-Anderson, Cora Anderson, Bella Anderson and Rachael Rood.  Brother-in-laws: Edwin Baucke of Yuma, Colorado and Keith Zech of Houston, Texas.  Sister-in-law: Della Rinne of Dunbar, Nebraska.  Many, many nieces and nephews

Wilfred was preceded in death by his wife, Georgina; parents Ferd and Lena Rinne; brother, Gaylord Rinne; sisters, Doretta Glenn, Adaline Baucke, and Deloris Zech.

The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Otis, Colorado with Pastor Scott Bieker officiating.  Interment will follow at the Yuma Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado.  Memorials can be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Otis.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.