Inge Renate Marie Elisabeth Rininsland

It is with deep sadness but many happy memories that we announce that Mrs. Inge Renate Marie Elisabeth Rininsland, beloved mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, and friend, passed away peacefully at West Park Crossing in Moose Jaw, SK on Friday, April 14th, 2023.

Inge Zesch was born on October 2nd, 1927, to Rudolf and Rosemarie Zesch, in Berlin Germany, the oldest of 4 children.  She spent her early years between her parents’ home in Berlin, Germany, and her maternal grandparent’s home in Leoben, Austria.  In 1942 at age 15 she and her family fled Berlin to Austria where it was much safer during World War 2.  She spent the rest of her teens and early twenties there, finishing top level High School, training as a secretary/interpreter, surviving Russian Occupation by escaping into the Alps, and finally working as a secretary/interpreter for the British Armed Forces in Austria.

Inge met Heinrich (Henry) Rininsland, a dashing young engineering student, and they were married in 1957.  4 children arrived and Inge dedicated herself to raising her family.  Henry’s work as an engineer took them to several mines and towns in Germany, but she kept in touch with her Austrian roots by taking the children back there every summer to create many happy memories.  

Because both Inge and Henry were completely fluent in English they were asked to help start and then manage the Lanigan Potash mine in 1967.  They packed up their 4 children and moved to Lanigan, SK, with anticipation and enthusiasm.  Inge rapidly became “Canadianized” and loved her time in Lanigan.  She enjoyed getting to know Canada, going on trips to Waskesiu and many other places in Saskatchewan, and being part of a vibrant small town.  She loved exploring the new countryside with its lakes to swim in and she and her family had many exciting adventures.  

Unfortunately, due to the Lanigan Mine being sold to the Saskatchewan Government, Inge and Henry had to make the difficult decision to move back to Germany in 1974.  They moved to Heringen, a small town in Germany, where they spent the next 20 years.  Inge became involved in local clubs and had 3 Irish Setters that she very much doted on during these years.  She encouraged her children as they finished their educations and became independent, and she joyfully welcomed the arrival of grandchildren.  

Inge always wanted to come back to Canada and after Henry’s retirement she and Henry were able to immigrate back to Moose Jaw in 1993.  30 wonderful retirement years in Moose Jaw followed.  She loved her dog, garden, collecting porcelain cups and spoons, reading German gossip magazines, travelling to Hawaii and back to Europe multiple times, keeping in touch with her children, and watching her grandchildren grow up.  She had many grandmotherly sayings which gave down-to-earth advice, even if they were sometimes unconventional!  In her last days she was quite proud of having outlived the Queen, and bravely and cheerfully faced long term care at West Park Crossing.  The family in turn is very thankful that Inge did not succumb to dementia and that her mind was sharp and clear right to her last few days.  

She was predeceased by husband, Heinrich Rininsland; parents, Rudolf and Rosemarie Zesch; brothers, Peter and Gert Zesch; and sister, Christa Pitzl.  Inge is survived by her daughters, Frauke Rininsland (Bill Bruno) and Gertrude (Manfred) Hennies; sons, Uwe (Petra) and Volker (Patricia) Rininsland; as well as grandchildren: Andrea Bruno, Lars, Jens, and Erik Hennies, and Aendra and Vanessa (Neil Kalra) Rininsland.  

We are profoundly grateful and thankful for the excellent care from the staff at Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, Five Hills Palliative Care, and especially West Park Crossing and Dr Amanda Waldner.  You all lovingly cared for mom with exceptional skill, kindness, love, and compassion and made her last days so much easier.  We are grateful for her friends Jan Lockert and Diana Brennan for their love and support.  

A Celebration of Inge’s Life will be held on Saturday, May 13th, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Reverend Doug Shepherd will officiate and interment will take place in Rosedale Cemetery.  Those not able to attend may view the service virtually by going to www.moosejawfuneralhome.com/webcast/.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Inge’s name may be made to The Moose Jaw Humane Society, Box 1658 Station Main, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 7K7 and are gratefully appreciated.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Andrew Pratt Funeral Director 306-693-4550