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Kelly Ann Rinker

January 18, 1966 - December 15, 2015

Kelly Ann (Quinlin) Rinker, 49 of Ankeny, joined the Lord and loved ones in Heaven on December 15, 2015 after a courageous 18-month battle with Leukemia.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 18, 2015 at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church. A visitation will be held 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 17th, also at the church.

She was born January 18. 1966 in Omaha, Nebraska. She was the second oldest of 9 children, of Tom and Joan Quinlin. Kelly grew up in Ankeny and graduated in 1984 from Ankeny High School. From a young age she strived as a leader in her family and showed compassion and love to all of her siblings. Upon graduating high school, she attended Iowa State University where she earned a Finance degree in 1988. She was a life-long Iowa State fan. She dedicated over 25 years of her life to the insurance industry at Aetna, Travelers, and Nationwide Insurance as a commercial underwriter and most currently as a corporate trainer. Kelly married Mike Rinker on August 6, 1988 and they made Ankeny their home with their four children- Hilary, Joey, Garrett, and Bergan.

Kelly’s positive personality was contagious and her smile and sparkling eyes could light up a room. She truly had a love of people and never failed to let others know what they meant to her. She made others feel like the most important person and never knew a stranger. Kelly was known for her endless energy, affection, and her generous, thoughtful ways. Her hobbies included crafting, gardening, decorating, cooking, shopping, and thrift shopping. She was very involved at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny, as well as with the Ankeny Arts Council. She trusted God for her cancer journey and life plan. She was looking forward to Christmas, her favorite holiday, as well as a family cruise in January to celebrate Hilary and Joey’s college graduations, and her upcoming 50th birthday on January 18th.

Kelly’s greatest joy in life was her children and family. She was an amazing mother and always went above and beyond for her children, always providing them with memorable experiences and opportunities. She loved vacationing with her family in Okoboji and any other place where she was on a beach with a margarita.

Kelly’s legacy will be carried on through her survivors: her husband Mike and four children Hilary (23), Joey (21), Garrett (14), and Bergan (11) all of Ankeny. Her parents and in-laws all of Ankeny; Tom and Joan Quinlin and Tom and Doris Rinker. Her 8 siblings; Pat (Lori) Quinlin of Ankeny, Dan (Mary) Quinlin of Iowa Falls, Tim (Chris) Quinlin of Ankeny, Teri(Clay) Cook of West Des Moines, Tami (Ryan) Sullivan of Polk City, Deb (Brian) Coyle of Elk Point, SD, Ted (Landi) Quinlin of Oregon, MO, and Joe (Kelly) Quinlin of Maryville, MO. Her in-laws; Jim (Janine) Rinker of Ankeny, Steve (Vikki) Rinker of Ankeny, and Sister in-law Angie Rinker of Carroll. She also had a special place in her heart for her 26 nieces and nephews, other relatives, and multitude of very close friends.

Her family would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to Dr. Lori Maness and her staff and nurses at Nebraska Medical center for their extraordinary care of Kelly throughout her cancer journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for an education fund for the children, or to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church Religious Education Program in honor of Kelly.