Armin “Bun” and Lorraine Rinness Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Armin “Bun” and Lorraine Rinness Memorial Scholarship Fund honors Armin “Bun” and Lorraine Rinness by supporting Saginaw County students pursuing college or Career and Technical Education (CTE) training. This fund provides need-based assistance to help local students continue their education and achieve long-term success.

This fund was established to honor the memory of Armin “Bun” and Lorraine Rinness. Together for over 57 years, they raised a family of six children and instilled the core values of integrity, responsibility, fairness, gratitude, and citizenship. Despite neither being able to finish primary schooling, the importance of education was nonetheless impressed upon their children and post-secondary education was made a priority.

Armin was born in 1921 in Traverse City, Mich. and raised in Reese, Mich. Due to family circumstances, he was unable to further his formal education beyond the 8th grade. He was a life-long learner which included assisting his children with their schoolwork, keeping up with current events via the daily newspaper and evening news, and reading both National Geographic and Reader’s Digest. He developed skills beyond books and became a “jack-of-all-trades”.

He served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Boise for most of World War II and was subsequently employed as an electrician by General Motors Saginaw Malleable Iron Foundry. He retired in 1987 after thirty-seven years of service.

Lorraine was born in 1928 in Saginaw, Mich. and attended Saginaw High School. She married Armin in 1949 and became a homemaker raising six children: Ted, Tim, Peggy, Sally, Tom and Todd. She presided over a home that reaffirmed their core values in a safe, loving and supportive environment.

Armin and Lorraine enjoyed traveling, spending time with life-long friends, and participating in many other social activities. They could always be counted on to attend any event or activity of their grandchildren. They gave generously of their time to help their children, friends and neighbors with a helping hand. Their influence was also felt by the numerous charities they supported.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2.75 GPA
• Graduate of any Saginaw County Public School
• 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Year College/University Student
• Pursuing an associate, undergraduate, or Career and Technical Education (CTE) degree
• Full-time enrollment
• Financial need