Alois Joseph Rinke Jr., age 85 of North Platte, passed away Wednesday April 29, 2015 at the Sutherland Care Center.

Alois was born on July 2, 1929 in Hartman, AK to Alois J. and Burris (Lancaster) Rinke and was then raised by his grandparents Elizabeth and Christopher Rinke. Al was raised on a farm in Hartman and attended school through the 8th grade.

He joined the Army in 1951 and served in Panama during the Korean War. After his Honorable Discharge in 1952 he moved to Grand Island, NE where he worked at Russell Stover Candies. It was there he met the love of his life, Dorothy Lu Brown. They were united in marriage on July 18, 1953 at St. Mary’s Cathedral and to this union four children were born.

In 1954 Al and Dorothy moved to Gothenburg where he became a diesel mechanic. In 1960 they moved to North Platte where he went to work for Bryan & Prowett Truck Company. In 1969 he was hired by the Union Pacific Railroad as a diesel mechanic at which he worked until his retirement in 1992. In 2002 Al moved to Paxton where he lived until January 2011 when he became a resident at Sutherland Care Center.

He enjoyed family, fishing, bowling and crossword puzzles. He was a member of the Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus; American Legion; Voiture 1068 40 & 8 Club; Eagles and Moose Lodges.

Al is survived by his children Robert (Connie) Rinke of Salina, KS, James (Sheri) Rinke of North Platte, Mary (Jerry) Long of Lincoln, Debra (Mike Smithberg) Florom of Keystone, NE; nine grandchildren Jeremy (Misty) Rinke, Joshua (Trisha) Rinke, Michelle (Brett) Cooper, Sara (Tom) Shively, Alan Long, Brent( Shara Lee) Rinke, Harley Rinke, Jason (Nikkie) Florom, Kris (Cortney) Florom; 19 great grandchildren; 4 half sisters Loretta Zimple, Rosella Boerner, Marilyn (Jamie) Blackwood and Anita (Calvin) Price all of Arkansas; as well as numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews; and special friends Wesley and Lena Klemke of Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy in 1990; parents; step-mother Agnes; half-sister Mildred Marts; and half-brother Leon Rinke.

Christian Wake Service will be 7:00 p.m. Sunday May 3, 2015 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday May 4, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte with Reverend Bryan Ernest officiating. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with full military honors. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of the arrangements.