Nellie May Rinkel, 75, the daughter of George and Velma Hackler, was born on April 20, 1950, in Beaver, Oklahoma. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. She graduated from Sylvia High School in 1969. She was a part of Sylvia High School's final graduating class. While in school, she enjoyed playing sports and working on the family farm. After graduating, she moved to Hutchinson, Kansas, and held various positions, including working at a yarn shop, laundromat, and Lowen Sign Company.
On November 14, 1970, she married Stanley Royce Rinkel. What started as a blind date ended in 54 years of marriage. Nellie and Stan embraced traveling adventures, exploring the back roads of Colorado, Texas, and Missouri on motorcycles and camping along the way. One of her passions was spending time outside in the garden, growing vegetables and flowers. Before having children of their own, they fostered. They were blessed with raising four children. Nellie's greatest joy was her family. There were no obstacles too big when it came to Nellie's devotion to her children. In addition to all the normal motherly duties, Nellie homeschooled her children. She learned to swim at the age of 38 to teach her daughter, and she later became a lifeguard.
Nellie was a member of the Church of Christ. She spent her time serving various ministries, including the soup kitchen, bus program, VBS, clothing room, and WBS ministry. Her faith guided her throughout all of life's challenges.
Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, George and Velma Hackler; daughter Vicky Rinkel, and brother-in-law Mike Suiter.
She is survived by her husband, Stanley Rinkel, her children; Chari Rinkel, Samuel Rinkel (Brittany) and Chris Rinkel of Hutchinson; Sisters, Georgie (Tom) Barger of Houston, Margie Suiter of Greenville Texas; Brothers, Ralph (Debbie) Hackler and Bill (Shirley) Hackler of Hutchinson; Grandchildren; Cohen Evans, Cooper Rinkel, Jude McCullers and Adrian McCullers of Hutchinson; many nieces and nephews; a host of friends.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, KS. After the service, there will be a “Cookies and Memories Celebration” at the Eastwood Church of Christ Fellowship Hall.
Memorials are suggested to Nellie Rinkel's Memorial Fund to benefit her grandchildren's education, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. To benefit the Nellis Rinkel's Memorial Fund, please make the check payable to Elliott Mortuary.