Elmer Rinne

Elmer Rinne, age 90, of St. James, died Monday, January 28, 2013, at the home of his daughter in North Mankato. Elmer Otto Rinne was born May 24, 1922 in St. James, MN, the son of William and Emma (Graminske) Rinne. He was baptized on July 23, 1922 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, St. James, by Pastor Erdman Pankow. He was confirmed May 17, 1936 by Pastor Ernst Birkholz. He attended District 63 rural school for 1 year after that St. Paul's Lutheran School. Elmer was drafted into the Army May 1946 and discharged Nov. 1947. Elmer played the clarinet, coronet, violin, snare drum and piano. He played in three Army Bands: Band Training Unit, 228 Army Band- Fort Knox, 3rd Armor Division Band, church band, St. James band, Odin band, "Swedes" band, Mankato Community Band, and the Symphony Orchestra. On October 5, 1947, he married Minnie Heldt at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Butterfield by Pastor Martin Lemke. Elmer was raised on the family farm and was a farmer all his life. He also worked at Butterfield Foods and Del Monte in Sleepy Eye in his later years. He enjoyed playing cards, listening to old time polka music, and having coffee with his friends at Paul's Food Pride. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in St. James. Surviving Elmer are his wife Minnie, son David (Debra) Rinne of Kansas City, MO, daughter Elmira (Norman) Ribbe of North Mankato, son Klarice Rinne of St. James, seven grandchildren, Heather and Ryan Rinne, Jason Ribbe, Melissa (Jason) Neeb, Laura (Craig) Golding, Matthew and Sarah Rinne, 2 great-grandchildren, Griffin and Kira Neeb, and brother Herman Rinne of St. James. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, William and sisters, Lillian, Emma, Marie and Elsie. Second Visitation 9:30 am - 10:30 am Thursday, January 31, 2013 St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, St. James 315 9th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Thursday, January 31, 2013 St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, St. James 315 9th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081