Donna K. (Fitzke) Hinrichs

Hastings resident Donna Kathryn (Fitzke) Hinrichs, 104, passed away Saturday, May 11, 2024, at The Heritage at College View, Hastings, NE. She had strong faith, loved her family, and education, and most of all, laughed often.    

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at Butler Volland Chapel in Hastings with Pastor Jonathan Jehorek officiating. Burial will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Churchyard Cemetery, west of Glenvil. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Youth Program or St. Paul’s Lutheran Churchyard Cemetery. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Donna’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

What is the secret to a long life? Living, learning, and laughing often. Donna Hinrichs did these. She also always said, “Take care of each other.”

Donna was born May 31, 1919, in Glenvil, NE to Fred and Elizabeth (Glantz) Fitzke. Following graduation from Harvard High School, she worked as a rural school teacher, like her mother had, while also attending summer classes at Hastings College. Later, she worked with Hastings College food service for 17 years, particularly enjoying interactions with students.

Donna married Paul Hinrichs on August 8, 1943. They were married for 66 years, bringing into the world three sons: Fred, Doug, and Randy. They were members of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where Donna taught Sunday School and volunteered.

The Hastings mayor declared “Donna Hinrichs Day” on May 31, 2019, when Donna reached her 100^th birthday celebration. He presented her a proclamation at Heritage, College View, during an honoring visit. 

Donna was grateful for her loved ones, friends, and all the people who helped her along the way. And she says to everyone, “Laugh often and take care of each other.”

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul Hinrichs; sons, Douglas Hinrichs and Fred Hinrichs; granddaughter, Season Hinrichs; two sisters, Ardes Fitzke and Berneda "Babe" Thomas; brother, Charles Fitzke; and sister-in-law, Eleanor Fitzke. 

SURVIVORS:

Son & Daughter-in-law:                     
    Rand & Susan Hinrichs – Phoenix, AZ

Grandson & Spouse:                           
    Cory & Steph Hinrichs – Lincoln, NE

Great-Granddaughters:                       
    Krista Hinrichs – Fremont, NE                                       
    Kaley Hinrichs – Seattle, WA

Nieces & Nephews