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Bernice Rose Hinz, 96, of Fonda died Jan. 26, 2024 at Greenfield Manor.
Memorial Mass will take place Monday, Feb. 5, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Carroll. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Mahaney Funeral Home in Fonda is in charge of the arrangements.
On March 21, 1927, Bernice Rose Buelt was born to Theodore and Emma (Soppe) Buelt in Carroll. She was baptized at Holy Angel Church and attended Holy Angel Catholic School in Roselle. Most recently, Bernice was a member of St. Sebastian, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda, where she was a member of the Holy Family Society and Catholic Daughters of America. Bernice worked at the Storm Lake Canning Factory, Vilas Turkey plant, DEKALB Seed Corn Plant and then as a CNA/CMA for 37 years at Fonda Nursing and Rehab Center.
Bernice met Arlo G. Hinz at the 5 Mile Dance Hall when she was a teenager and fell in love. She waited for Arlo to return home after WWII. Bernice and Arlo were united in marriage on June 16, 1947 in Roselle. They were blessed with seven children: Donna, David, Gloria, Daryl, Roger, James and Robert. Bernice was a wife, mother and caregiver at a time when farming was not enough to support the family, so Arlo worked at Lange’s Dairy while Bernice took on the role of farming with the family. She taught her children care giving and work ethic. Arlo passed away on Feb. 22, 1968 at the age of 44, leaving Bernice as the sole provider for her seven children, including a lifetime of care commitment to her son, James.
Throughout her life, Bernice treasured time with her family more than anything. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Left to cherish Bernice’s memory include her children: Donna (Harlan) Schott of Vermillion, S.D.; David Hinz of Lake Park; Gloria Guerttman of Spencer; Roger (Arlene) Hinz of Sunrise Beach, Mo.; James Hinz of Greenfield; Robert (Marlene) Hinz of Mount Ayr; grandchildren: Kim (Christopher) Kufner, Craig (Kathy) Enderlin, Kevin Guerttman, Bryan (Amanda) Guerttman, Matthew (Rachael) Guerttman, Abbie (Ken) Mortimer, Ashley (Ken) Bellaire, Dan (Allison) Hinz, April (Chadd) Smith, Jason (Rebecca) Hinz, Travis (Holly) Hinz, Alysha (Brad) England and Tyler (Jacky) Hinz; step grandchildren, Todd (Vanessa) Schott and Brian Schott; 27 great-grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Arlo Hinz; parents, Theodore and Emma Buelt; son Daryl Hinz; grandson Justin Guerttman; son-in-law Randy Guerttman; brothers: infant brother Henry, Tony, Edwin, Eugene, LeRoy and Raymond Buelt; sisters: Gertrude Riley, Louise Eich, Agnes Korne, Loretta Boldt and Anita Schroer; brother and sisters-in-law: Lester Hinz, Luella Kohorst and LaVine Druvenga; and special friend, Ben J. Studer.
