Elsa Marie (Sempertegui) Rinker

Elsa Marie Cozzarelli Rinker (Sempertegui) passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025. She was born on February 27, 1938, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, daughter of Aurelio and Rosa Sempertegui. She was the youngest of six children. Elsa is preceded in death by her parents and husbands, Richard Rinker and Cellini Cozzarelli. Elsa is survived by her sons David (Stephanie) Cozzarelli, Robert (Jane) Cozzarelli and Dino (Lisa) Cozzarelli; grandchildren Monica (Alex) Copelan, Robert “Tito” (Gina Vitale) Cozzarelli, Lauren (Adam) Charron, Andrea (Nick Albrecht) Cozzarelli, Marie (Matthew Hudgins) Cozzarelli and Anthony Cozzarelli; many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews, and greatgrandchildren Charlotte, Cecelia, Calista and Corinne Copelan, CaseyJo, Mac and Cam Charron and Louis Cozzarelli. 

Elsa and Cellini moved to the United States in 1966, moving to Columbus Ohio, to raise their family. In 1977 Elsa married Richard Rinker, the love of her life. Elsa was a loving wife, doting  Grandmother and a cherished Great-grandmother. She loved shopping, traveling – always ready for a road trip, and cooking as well as all her many furry pets and she worked retail for over 15 years at Lazarus Kingsdale. But most of all, Elsa enjoyed spending time with her family, helping to raise all her grandchildren in Columbus and in Asheville, NC. She loved telling stories, listening to music and sharing family recipes from cheesy rice houses and ceviche to seco and fritada. Elsa was also known for her collection of elephants, for playing Mrs. Claus with Richard as Santa for guests and visitors at the Grove Park Inn (Asheville) for many years each Christmas, to ensuring everyone had plenty to eat (Need to eat!!)! She loved her family fiercely and her grandchildren were the light of her life!

Special thanks to the staff and friends at The Bickford in Arlington, The Inn at Library Way, The Ashford at Sturbridge, Mayfair Village Retirement Center and all the folks at 360 Hospice for the loving care of Elsa. A Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at St. Brendan’s the Navigator, 4475 Dublin Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026 on August 29, 2025 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers friends may contribute to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children or 360 Hospice