Idell Hinz

               Marvel Idell Hinz, age 77, of rural Newton, went to be with the Lord on January 23, 2019, at Asbury Park. She was born April 30, 1941, in Newton, the daughter of Bill Fisher and Leida (Rich) Fisher. Idell graduated from Newton High School with the class of 1959. She then attended Nurses Training in Halstead, Kansas, earning her Registered Nursing degree.

          On July 7th, 1962, she was united in marriage to Wayne Hinz in Newton. She met Wayne at the skating rink in Newton where they often double dated with Marilyn and Carney. February 18th, 1963 she gave birth to her first son Wayne Edward Hinz Jr. Soon after David would join the family, their family was completed two years later with the birth of their third son George. The family lived in various places around Whitewater and Elbing.  In 1972, they moved to a house on Hinz family ground.  They had a basement poured, and the house moved to that foundation.  They worked together on updating and remodeling this 1890s home.

In 1975, Idell started work at Axtell Clinic in Newton as an RN for Dr. Hawkey. She later worked as an RN at the Hertzler Clinic in Halstead and in 2009 retired from the Green Vision Group. Idell was an amazing woman of faith. Idell was everyone’s strongest prayer warrior. Her faith got her through many difficult times including her bout with cancer, along with helping so many others during their darkest hours. Idell was a long-standing member of Whitewater Center Church. She was very involved with the Ladies’ Aide women’s group, always helping with the annual Church Bazaar. Idell also taught Sunday School for many years. She was well-known for the pies she would bake, tea towels she would paint and embroider, and the items she crocheted. Idell was a leader for the Burns Go-Getters 4-H Club. She even taught her sons and grandchildren to crochet and sew.  

Idell often took crocheting projects to the Harvey County Fair and the Kansas State Fair. She enjoyed being in the Ladies’ Lead sheep-showing contests at the Kansas State Fair. This was what started the annual Hinz tradition of attending the State Fair. She and Wayne would load up their sons and nieces in a converted school bus and head to Hutchinson. The next generation of Hinz’s still attend every year. One of the important parts of their trips included getting the grandchildren’s pictures taken and placed on buttons.

Idell’s grandkids remember spending the night at her house often. They watched Mary Poppins and made pancakes the next morning. Grandma Idell would play “Kick the Can” with them and the kids would help her replenish the bird feeders. Idell loved watching birds. The grandkids also shared that Grandma taught all of them to drive by putting them on her lap as she drove from the farm to her house. 

In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting, and supporting her sons, nieces, and grandchildren at all of their school activities. She was well-known for her “war whoops” at Remington sporting events and her “witch’s cackle” which either scared you to death or put a big smile on your face. Spending time with her family was definitely at the top of her list. From Memorial Day to Labor Day you could find her at Harvey County East Lake with family and friends. Anyone who was interested in learning to water ski would quickly become her next student. Idell took care of everyone at the lake. She always made sure the little ones had their life jackets and water shoes on before they went in the water.  Idell provided much of the food at the lake for friends and family. Many remember her No-Bake cookies, cornflake cookies, bananas rolled in Jello, and ham and potato casserole. She is probably best remembered for her famous caramel icing and chocolate birthday cakes. She never missed anyone’s birthday.

Idell welcomed Karen’s children and grandchildren into the family and into her heart. She insured they were treated just like every other member of the family. In later years, Idell loved being involved with the annual Hinz Halloween parties at David and Karen’s, along with any task required at the annual String Break benefit.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Hinz, her oldest son, Eddie Hinz, mother, Leida Fisher, father, Bill Fisher, and brother, Wayne Fisher.  Also preceding her in death were best friend and sister-in-law, Marilyn Hinz and brother-in-law Carney Hinz.

She is survived by two children, David (Karen) Hinz of rural Newton, and George (Helen) Hinz of rural Newton; six grandchildren, Alyssa (Justin) Claassen, Kelcey Hinz, Garett Hinz, Jeff Eaton, Jennifer Eaton and Jon (Jessica) Eaton; two brothers, Charles (Kathy) Fisher of Burns, Kansas, Bill Fisher of Strong City, Kansas, great-grandchildren, Easton Wayne Claassen, Emma Aviks, Angus Aviks, Sadie Eaton and Milo Eaton.