Susan L. (Bassinger) Rinne

Susan Lynn (Bassinger) Rinne, 68 entered eternal peace at BryanLGH Hospital on May 8, 2020.

She was born on June 4, 1951 at Nebr. City, NE; the daughter of Miner A. and Loretta H. (Blankenship) Bassinger.  After high school, she attended Joseph's College of Beauty in Lincoln NE.  She married Gerald Allen Rinne on January 7, 1977 in Reno, NV.  They had 13 children.  She was blessed with 26 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Susan owned and operated Rinne's Beauty Salon for over 20 years.  She taught Sunday School for many years at Bethel United Church of Christ.  After retiring in 1992, Susan and Gerald became full time foster parents, which she considered her "dream job".

She is survived by her children:  Delana Dawn Rinne, Jodi Gillespie, Kris Rinne, Eisha Mather, Ronnie Rinne, Cole Rinne, Justace Rinne, Michael Rinne, Cheyenne Rinne, Nico Rinne, CJ Rinne, Trevor Rinne and multiple foster children; brothers:  T.D. Bassinger-Ft. Worth, TX, Eric Bassinger-Syracuse, NE and Kyle Bassinger-Waverly, NE; sisters:  Twyla Tritch-Avoca, NE, Paulette Bassinger-Lincoln, NE, Maelynn Bassinger-Lorton, NE, Niccole Lux-Crestview, FL and Wendelin Miller-Sidney, IA; other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her son Wade Rinne, parents Miner and Loretta Bassinger, brothers Scott and Rex and a sister Dawn.

She was known as Mama Sue and NaNa by her grandchildren.  Susan's greatest love and enjoyment was her children and grandchildren.  She looked forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas when she would be surrounded by family and friends.  Her door was never closed to anyone, she never judged people, and believed in second, third, and fourth chances!  Her favorite activities were playing cards, putting puzzles together, and late night bonfires and playing pranks on her friends and children.  She was a strong woman who many looked up to and leaned on. She taught respect and expected it in return.  

Susan refused to say aluminum foil - she called it tin foil.  She hated birds but owned one that she conversed with daily.  When it refused to talk to her she would say "Kiwi, do you want me to cook you"? and it would respond "Hell No"!  When you walked into her home, you were welcomed to Rinne's Funny Farm.  She kept her house so cold in the summer she was referred to as Frosty the Snow***!  Her favorite quote to her doctors was "Don't ask me about my weight or my smokes, and we will get along fine."  She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

An open visitation will be held on Wednesday (5/13) from 9:00 a.m.until 5:00 p.m. and Thursday (5/14) from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Gude Mortuary.

A memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to The Children’s Hospital.

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