DENNIS L. RINNE

Dennis L. Rinne, 72, passed away Sunday, Feb. 7, following a short stay at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Mont. He lived most of his life in Cook before moving to Butte, Montana a few years ago.

Dennis graduated from Alango High School and served four years as a mechanic in the U.S. Air Force on Long Island, New York. He was married to Carol Romnes of Togo for 35 years and together they raised three children. He was employed, in turn, by: John B. Swanson Construction, T.D. Bryers Construction, Lampert Lumber, U.S. Steel and Potlatch. He was a skilled carpenter who built his own home and helped with the construction and remodeling of many other homes from blueprint to finish.

Dennis volunteered for 20 years as a firefighter in Cook and retired as Chief of the Department. He also served as both member of the city council, and the St. Louis County Rescue Squad. His brother, Jim Rinne, recently wrote, "He was the best brother I could have asked for. I don't know how many times I called him for help and he was always there and never asked for a thing in return. "Bring it on," was all he said."

Dennis loved to fly and fulfilled a lifelong dream by taking flight lessons in his fifties. When grounded by health concerns, he turned his interest to the construction and flight of radio-controlled aircraft. He was a faithful husband and a proud, supportive father and grandfather.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Janice (Himango) Hoffman of Butte; brother, James (Nancy) Rinne of Angora; sister, Nancy (Jerry) Walden of Angora; daughter, Michele Rinne (Doreen Matteson) of Deer River; son, Mike (Michiyo) Seko of Yokohama, Japan; son, Mark (Suzette) Rinne of Britt, and granddaughters, Reina, Minami, Akari and Joelle; and treasured cousins, nieces, nephews and neighbors. Dennis was further blessed by his second family in Butte: daughters, Dorie Riordan and Char (Tim) McGinley, son, Don Hoffman, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary, Butte. Funeral services will be held in Alango on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 1 p.m. int St. Paul's Lutheran Church, The Reverend Joey Bailey presiding.

Tags: obituaries

Sign the guestbook

Comments posted on this page do not reflect opinions of Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications Company does not endorse and is not responsible for any statement, opinion, advice given or made. All replies are subject to approval and must follow Forum Communications Company guidelines concerning statements of libel, personal attacks or defamation of character. Replies in the "Talk About It" section that criticize a person by name may not be posted, unless that person is openly involved in a public issue. Comments written in all capital letters or bold print will not be considered for inclusion in the forum.

Terms & Conditions