Mary Rinnert

Mary Ann Rinnert passed away on July22 at her home in Lawrence, Kansas, after undergoing treatment for cancer the past year and a half.

She was born in Fulton, Missouri on March 27, 1941 to Loren and Tina (Dean) Murray.

She graduated from Fulton High School and Northeast Missouri State University at Kirksville in 1962. She began teaching at Ritenour School District in St. Louis County, Missouri, where she met her husband.

She married Jerry M. Rinnert on July 18, 1964 at Fulton, Missouri. They made their home in Columbia, MO, St. Louis County, MO and Columbus, OH before moving to Longmont, CO in August, 1978, where they lived for 33 years.

Mary Ann was a teacher at Longmont Estates Elementary School for 20 years before retiring in 2002. In all, she taught in public schools for 30 years over a forty year span, taking 10 years off to raise her children.

In retirement, they built a home in Westcliffe, CO where they spent part of each year. She and her husband moved to Lawrence in November 2011 to be close to their son and his family.

She became a follower of Jesus Christ as a child and was a longtime member of LifeBridge Christian Church in Longmont. At the time of her passing, she was a member of Tonganoxie Christian Church. She was also a member of PEO in Longmont and then Lawrence.

Preceeding her in death were her father and mother, and sister, Mildred Pricer. She is survived by her husband; son Nathan D. Rinnert and his wife Christina of Hammondsport, NY; son John M. Rinnert, his wife Stacey, and grandchildren Gabriel and Megan, all of Lawrence, KS; and brother-in-law Harold Pricer of Fairfield, CA; and many loving friends.

Arrangements are being made by Warren-McElwain Funeral Home in Lawrence.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate her life at LifeBridge Christian Church in Longmont, CO at a later date.

12 Condolences

  1. Emily Froshaug on July 25, 2013 at 9:21 am

    My thoughts are with you and your family at this time. She was my 4th grade teacher and was truly a special person! She genuinely loved teaching and I will never forget what a great impact she had on my life.



  2. Nate Rinnert on July 25, 2013 at 6:22 pm

    We have heard over the years from so many of her former students about how much she impacted them. She truly loved each one of her students, and made it her mission to help each of them to become good people. Her views on education went far beyond just the teaching of curriculum and content – she understood the necessity of teaching PEOPLE over CURRICULUM.



  3. Carolyn Schleiger on July 26, 2013 at 12:13 pm

    Mrs. Rinnert was always such a gracious, pleasant woman & a great supporter of the Longmont High School Band. We are very sorry to hear of her passing. Our sympathy to all of her family & friends.



  4. Joe & Doris Hackman on July 27, 2013 at 6:47 am

    May our Lord comfort Mary Ann’s family and friends at her loss. She was always so easy to talk to and a friend to all.



  5. Cherie Butler on July 27, 2013 at 10:25 am

    I remember Mary Ann as a radiant, fun, giving woman. Many of my family and friends have been blessed, encouraged and inspired by her sharing her God given gifts and talents, she made a difference.



  6. Amy Parkinson on July 27, 2013 at 10:47 pm

    I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of Mary Ann. Jerry and Mary Ann were such a great help to me with Don in his last years. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Heaven has gained such a special angel!!



  7. Amy Corrales, neice on July 28, 2013 at 3:32 am

    My Aunt Mary Ann- truly the sweetest and most hospitable, tolerant, patient, level-headed and even keeled I have known.. She has always known just what to say and how to advise in a loving, thoughtful, Christian way. I admire her grace and am thankful for her fine example of living life the way it should be lived. I miss her already.



  8. Amy Corrales, neice on July 28, 2013 at 3:35 am

    My Aunt Mary Ann- truly the sweetest and most hospitable, tolerant, patient, level-headed and even keeled person I have ever known. She has always known just what to say and how to advise in a loving, thoughtful, Christian way. I admire her grace and am thankful for her fine example of living life the way it should be lived. I miss her already.



  9. Jim and Rose Valent on July 28, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    We are thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. Mary Ann touched so many hearts and lives and she will be missed.We are sorry to hear of her passing. God’s love and comfort to you all.



  10. J.B. Kidd family on July 29, 2013 at 10:35 am

    Dear Jerry, Nate & John:
    Sorry to hear of Mary Ann’s passing, but we never walk alone. As people of faith, we believe that our Lord is always with us. Even in our most difficult hours, God is there to carry us through. Our loss is Heaven’s gain!



  11. Marilyn Bang on August 2, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    Dear Jerry and family: Was so
    sorry to hear of Mary Ann’s
    passing. She was a wonderful
    lady and will be missed by so
    many. May God be with you



  12. Cindy Bigelow on August 11, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    Mary Ann was a great teacher for both of my children at Longmont Estates. I truly enjoyed getting to know her when volunteering in the classroom. I know she touched many lives with her teaching and she will be missed.



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