ANN RINKEL, age 90, of Luverne, died Monday, November 7, 2011, at the Sanford Hospital in Luverne, as a result of a stroke. She was born August 10, 1921, in Weirton, WV, to Nick and Sara (Kosanovich) Ralich. She graduated fourteenth in a class of over two hundred from Weirton High School in 1940. Ann went to work at the Pentagon as a Legislative Law Clerk. She then worked at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, which is the highest of military learning, from which members of the armed forces receive their field assignments.
Ann married Albert "Bud" Rinkel on July 25, 1948, in Weirton, WV. The couple moved to Luverne where they owned & operated the Rock Café. In 1957, they built Buds' Drive-In by the city park in Luverne. Ann also worked at the Earth Recourse Observation Systems (EROS), The Army Recruiting Station, the US Post Office and as a LPN.
She was a member of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, in Luverne, since 1960, where she had served as Senior Warden, Lay Reader, Secretary, Vestry & Total-Ministry. She was also a life member of the Luverne VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Luverne American Legion Auxiliary where she had served as President. Ann has been involved in many local fund raisers and activities. She served on the Minnesota Health Task Force, MAINSTAY Rock County Coordinator, Council's Energy Commission and the Minnesota Health Task Force.
Ann is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robert & Marisa Rinkel, Corona, CA; three grandsons, Ryan Rinkel, New York, NY; Mark Rinkel, Corona, CA; and Jason Rinkel, Corona, CA; and a sister, Mary Sedwick, Dayton, OH.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert, on January 6, 1970; daughter, Deborah, on September 15, 1993; and seven siblings.
Visitation will be from 6-8 pm Thursday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne; and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Funeral will be 10 am Friday at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, in Luverne, officiated by Mother Marilyn Leach. Burial will be in the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
To view an online obituary, sign a virtual register book or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com

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