Douglas A. Rinken, much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, son-in-law, uncle, teacher, coach, colleague, friend, and so much more, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday, November 28th2025. He was 65 years old. Doug was born January 10, 1960, in Watertown, SD, to parents Irene and Bernard "Ben" Rinken. He attended school in Watertown through first grade, graduating from Garretson High School in 1978. He attended Dakota State College, where he was a member of the Trojans' Wrestling Team, graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education. He later received a Master's Degree in Math and Science Technology from Augustana College.

On August 6th, 1983, he married his high school sweetheart at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson, SD, and moved to Canton, SD. While in Canton, they welcomed their daughter, Gretchen Elizabeth, in 1984, and their sons, Benjamin Allen in 1986 and Jed Andrew in 1989. They moved to Sioux Falls, SD, in 1994 and welcomed another son, Ian Douglas, that same year.

Doug was a gifted teacher and impacted the lives of literally thousands of children over his 33 years of teaching. He started his career in 1983 at Canton High School, where he taught science and coached wrestling, golf, and football. Doug moved to Whittier for 5 years starting in 1991, where he taught 8th-grade science, assisted with the Technology Team, and coached wrestling and football. In the fall of 1996, Doug moved to Washington High School. He spent the next 20 years at Washington High School teaching physical science, physics, outdoor science, and chemistry. He coached wrestling, girls' golf, boys' golf, and football during that time. Doug retired from teaching in 2016 but continued to work at Washington High School, including some coaching and general supervision, until his passing. Doug received numerous recognitions and honors during his time as a teacher and coach, but loved his relationship with staff and students far beyond any of the recognitions. Teaching was the love of his professional life.

Doug cared deeply for his family, friends, students, athletes, colleagues, neighbors, community, and hobbies. When he wasn't teaching or coaching, he preferred to spend time with his adored wife, Jan, or to seamlessly fulfill the roles of "dad" and "grandpa" in whatever setting called for it. Beyond that, his days were filled with hunting, fishing, golfing, or retrieving wood from a dumpster to use for his next wood project. More than anything, he cherished his kids, their spouses, and especially his 11 grandkids with whom he shared all of his hobbies and passions. There wasn't a moment wasted when he was with his family. He served without expectation and loved without condition.

Grateful for having shared his life his wife of 42 years, Jan; daughter Gretchen (Matthew) Bisson; sons, Benjamin (Jennifer) Rinken, Jed Rinken, and Ian (Sadie) Rinken, all of Sioux Falls SD; 11 grandchildren, Owen Matthew, Aiden Douglas, Liam Thomas Bisson; Aubrey Grace, Asher Gray, Remi Jade, Hayes Douglas, Lenyn Shae Rinken;  and Malachi Dennis, Kenan Shane, Eliana Marie Rinken; sisters, Diane (Roger) McNary, Spearfish SD, and Sherry Holson, Chicago IL; brothers, Mike Rinken, Loveland CO, Paul (Carrie) Parish, Sioux Falls SD, and Joel (Theresa) Parish, Sioux Falls SD. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Deborah Bonte and Kathryn Lee; and brother, Gary Rinken.

To honor Doug's memory, a funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Central Church, located at 3100 W. Ralph Rogers Road, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57108. The service will be live-streamed at www.centralsf.org/remember

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during a visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, December 5, 2025, also at Central Church. Doug will find his final resting place at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Doug's family during this difficult time. His kindness and passion for teaching will forever be remembered.