Velma Matilda Rinne, 89, of Burchard, Nebraska passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at Good Samaritan in Beatrice, Nebraska.  She was born on September 7, 1927 on her parents farm in rural Pawnee County southeast of Pawnee City, Nebraska to Emil and Anna (Horalek) Hubka.

Velma attended Kennedy School, District 13, through the 8th grade, graduating with high honors.   She graduated from Pawnee City High School in 1945.  After high school she taught in rural schools for six years during that time she received her certification from Peru State Teachers College.  Then she worked in the old Pawnee hospital as a nurse aid and joined the staff in their move to the newly built hospital building.

She was baptized at Salem Evangelical and Reformed Church, now Salem United Church of Christ, rural Steinauer, Nebraska by Reverend V.F. Deditious and became a member in 1953 to present time.  Velma and Arnold Rinne were married at Salem E & R Church on November 10, 1952.  To this union five children were born.  Their first home was on a farm northeast of Lewiston.  Then they moved to a farm southeast of Lewiston.  In 1961 they bought and moved to their farm five miles north of Burchard where they raised hogs, cattle, grain and hay. Velma was very active infall aspects of the farming operation.  They were active in 4-H “Flying Tigers” and their church.

Velma was secretary-treasurer of Church school for several years and served on various committee’s in Women’s Fellowship.  In 2005 she and Arnold retired and moved to their home in Beatrice, Nebraska.  Velma was her husbands helpmate and was proud of her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments.  She enjoyed embroidery work, gardening, canning and saving news clippings about family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold, parents, Emil and Anna Hubka, son Lamar in 2005.

Velma is survived by her daughter, Karen A. and husband Robert Epp of Omaha, Ne, son, Calvin A. and wife Teresa of Richland, WA, daughter, Karla J. and husband James Bohling of Scandia, KS, and son, Norton F. and wife Kimberly of Burchard, NE, 14 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

Services 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at Salem U.C.C. Church at Steinauer, Nebraska.  Officiating Reverend Eric Biehl. Visitation on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 8 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Interment at Salem U.C.C. Cemetery, Steinauer, Nebraska.  Memorials to the given to Salem U.C.C. Cemetery Fund.  On line condolence may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com