Elna F. Rinner

OBITUARY: Elna Fern Rinner
Elna Fern Rinner, 84, Topeka, died Thursday, October 13th, 2011, at Brewster Place. She was born December 20th, 1926, on the family farm north of Perry, the daughter of Seldon E. and Fern I. (Andrews) Bowman. During her grade school years the family moved to Topeka where she attended West Indianola Grade School. Elna graduated from Seaman High School in 1945 and was crowned as Seaman's first homecoming queen. She went on to graduate from Kansas State College in 1950, with a degree in Home Economics. To support her education she worked for Kansas State Veterans Counseling and Southwestern Bell. On June 2nd, 1949, she married Dean Rinner to begin 62 years of marriage. In addition to working in the home she worked at Forbes Supply Depot and the Shawnee County Election Commission. She was a member of Seaman Congregational Church. Elna was well known as a talented seamstress and cook. She was involved in her children's 4-H, school activities, and her church. Surviving are her husband: Dean Rinner; 3 daughters: Martha Kenworthy (Judson) of Beaufort, NC, Louann Rinner (Ron Keehn) of Prairie Village, and Karen Rinner of Topeka; a son: Tom Rinner (Annie) of Lenexa; a brother: Don Bowman of Tahlequah, OK; and 7 grandchildren: Lance Kenworthy of Wilmington, NC, Matthew Kenworthy of Beaufort, NC, Dustin Holub (Kari) of Prairie Village, Cody Holub of Hollywood, CA, Maria Cuevas of Topeka, Allie Rinner of Lenexa, and Sara Rinner of Lenexa. Elna was preceded in death by a son, George Alan Rinner, on October 7th, 1981; and sisters: Florence Pierson and Doris Rodenbaugh. Memorial services will be at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, October 18th, 2011, at Seaman Congregational Church. Private interment of cremains will be at Rochester Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Seaman Congregational Church, 2036 NW Taylor, Topeka, KS 66608 or Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 North Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66608.