Mary Theresa (Vrtiska) Rinne

Mary  Theresa  (Vrtiska)  Rinne,  98,  of  Pawnee  City,  passed  away  on  Tuesday,  February 6, 2018.  She was born on October 11, 1919 on a farm east of Steinauer to Anton and Emma (Obrist) Vrtiska. She attended St. Anthony's grade school and Steinauer High School, graduating in 1937. During High School and after graduation she worked at a grocery store in Steinauer.  She also was a bookkeeper for the store.

She  was  united  in  marriage  to  Norman  Rinne  on  November  28,  1940  at  St.  Anthony’s chapel.  To this union 5 children were born, Donald, Russell, John "Jack", William "Bill" and Rosemary. They lived on a farm located southwest of Steinauer. Mary was a homemaker for many years until 1957 when she joined the workforce. She was employed at the Beatrice State Developmental Center as staff supervisor until her retirement in 1983. Mary was a member of the choir from elementary school until her marriage and active  in  C.Y.O  and  served  as  president  for  many  years.   

After  her  marriage  she  became a member of Sacred Heart  Church at Burchard.  She was a member of Holy Rosary Altar Society, D.C.C.W. Auxiliary, member of the Pink Sisters and honorary member of Fraternal Order of Eagles.  She was a member of the Steinauer Women’s Club for many years. Mary served as a member of the Ground Observers Corp, in the early 1950’s.  She and Norman visited family in Arizona, Nevada and the Boston area many times.  She enjoyed following the school and sports activities of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mary entered Premier Estates Nursing Home in Pawnee City in August 2013. Mary loved dancing and music and had many friends.  A very special friend in the later years of her life was Helen Gyhra.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Emma Vrtiska, husband, Norman  (1996),  son  William  (2013),  sisters  and  brothers-in-law,  Donata  and  Jim  Pendergast, Madaline and Lloyd Matthews, Dorothy and Tex Gunzelman, Sr. Mary Walter (Peggy),  Esther and Bill Schafer, Erna and Vernon Hoffman, Emeline and Bob Morrissey, brothers and sisters-in-law, Adrian and Leona Vrtiska, John and Norma Vrtiska, Charles Vrtiska and Tony and Pat Vrtiska.

Mary is survived by her sons, Donald (JoAnne) Rinne of Beatrice, NE, Russell Rinne of Burchard, NE, John (Mary) Rinne of Flagstaff, AZ, daughter, Rosemary (Jay) Wischmeier of Burchard, NE, daughter-in-law, Janice Rinne of Boston, MA, sister and brother-in-law, Betty Bedea (Gary), sister-in-law, Clara Vrtiska, brother, William (Carol) Vrtiska, 12 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchild, 2 great great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Services 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 10, 2018 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Steinauer, Nebraska. Officiating Father Michael Christensen.  Visitation Friday, February 9, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..  Rosary on Friday February 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, with family greeting friends an hour before the Rosary.  Interment at Evergreen Cemetery, Beatrice, Nebraska.  Memorials to family choice. Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com.

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