Andrew James Rinner

Andrew James Rinner, 80, of North Newton, died Tuesday (April 27, 2004) in North Newton.

He was born Jan. 13, 1924, to Arnold and Mabel (Eicher) Rinner in Wayland, Iowa. They preceded him in death. He married Esther L. Lehrman June 30, 1949, in Aberdeen, Iowa. She survives of North Newton.

He was a graduate of Wayland Iowa High School. Upon graduation he went on to attend Alexian Brothers Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, Bethel College in North Newton and received his master's degree from the University of Colorado. He also served on the civilian public services in Hillcity, S.D., Ypsilanti, Mich., and in Puerto Rico. He was a registered nurse and served as an instructor and assistant director of nursing at Grace Hospital of Hutchinson and at Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton. He also was an instructor at Wichita State University. He also worked for the American Red Cross blood bank and held employment at Meadowlark Homestead after the closing of the nursing school. His special interests were many, some of which included music, art, playing the piano/organ and painting scenic pictures.

Other survivors include: two daughters, Amy Dueckman of Abbotsford, B.C., and Jeanette Grantstein of Wichita; and five grandchildren. He also was preceded in death by: a sister, Gertrude Boese; and a brother, Marvin Rinner.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday with family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home. Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Greenwood Cemetery with Pastor Heidi Regier Kreider officiating. Memorials have been established with Bethel College Mennonite Church for the music and arts in care of the funeral home.