Roger Hinz

Roger Hinz passed away peacefully September 26, 2023 just nine days shy of his 86th birthday. Born in Fairmont, Minnesota to the late Charles and Hazel Hinz, Roger was a life-long Lutheran. Seventy of his eighty plus years, he joyfully served as organist for his church family.

An educator for more than 41 years, his impact on students, parents, colleagues and the communities in which he taught is immeasurable. Beginning in 1957 to 1958 St. Paul’s 3rd/4th grade in Algoma, Wisconsin, Roger went on to teach 7th/8th grade at Trinity in Bay City, Michigan (1959-1969); 5th through 8th grade at St. John’s in Wood Lake, Minnesota (1961-1964); 7th/8th grade at Mt. Calvary in La Crosse, Wisconsin (1967-1973); and math at Luther High in Onalaska, Wisconsin (1973-2000) from where he retired.

Roger was a fair-weather fisherman (not venturing out in the rain or too early in the morning with his rod and reel); he was an all-weather golfer and an enthusiastic bowler. Roger also enjoyed woodworking especially making children’s toys. However his most life-changing skill was his ability to make and throw the perfect snowball.

On a cold day in 1957 a snowball packed, rounded and thrown by Roger; hit a young Sharon Vick in the back. It was a gentle throw. A throw to get Sharon’s attention and the smiling face which greeted her when she turned around, kept her attention for the next 65 years. Roger and Sharon went steady for four years before marrying on June 11, 1961. They were devoted to their church, each other, and their four sons. They shared matching scars. Both Sharon and Roger donated a kidney to their son, Michael. When the kidney Sharon had donated began to fail after sixteen years, Roger donated one of his. Roger and Sharon grieved together when Michael passed away in 1997, celebrated together when sons Steve, Nathan and Daniel married; and rejoiced together at the birth of each of their six grandchildren. Roger was preceded in death by his son, Michael; and brother, Richard.

Roger will be missed by his wife of 62 years, Sharon; sons Steve (Lisa) Hinz of Chelsea, Michigan, Nathan (Ginger) Hinz of Steger, Illinois, and Daniel (Robyn) Hinz of Winona, Minnesota; grandchildren Ava, Marina, Hannah (Caleb), Mollie, Andrew, and Elizabeth; sister, Kathy Schatz; and church family at Living Water Lutheran Church.

On Monday, October 2, 2023 a visitation at Living Water Luther Church, 5 Magellan Drive, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas 71909 will begin at 10am followed by an 11 am funeral service.

On Wednesday, October 4, 2023 a visitation at Schumacher Kish Funeral Home, 907 Sand Lake Rd. Onalaska, WI 54650 will begin at 12:30 pm followed by a funeral service at 2pm. Interment will be at Onalaska Cemetery, 1200 Main St., Onalaska, WI 54650