Gertrude “Gerty” Hinsz, 85, Dickinson, died peacefully at her home on Friday, December 4, 2009. Gerty’s funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Dickinson, with Rev. Michael Wolters officiating. Interment will follow at Dickinson Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m., Monday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Gerty’s journey began when she was born November 24, 1924, the daughter of Pete and Elsie (Bauer) Weigum in Zap, N.D. She grew up and went to school north of Zap. On November 21, 1943, Gerty married Eugene R. Hinsz at St. John’s Lutheran Church, north of Zap. They farmed north of Zap until 1950, when they moved to Hazen and later to Pick City. In 1956 they moved to South St. Paul, MN where they lived for two years until moving to Dickinson. When her husband was transferred, they moved to O’Neill, Nebraska and then later to Fargo, before returning to Dickinson in 1973. Over the years she worked preparing meals at schools, handing out samples for Dan’s Super Market, and packing for Jobbers Moving and Storage from which she retired after over 30 years of service. Gerty enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, gardening, traveling, and volunteering at the hospital and church. Her travels included many states and countries. She traveled to Kenya, Tanzania, Thailand, Greece, and Canada where she also visited family and friends. She also traveled to many states and enjoyed many extended bus tours.
Gerty is survived by: her three son’s Duane (Joyce) Hinsz, Bismarck; Harvey (Suzanne) Hinsz, Bangkok, Thailand; Verlin (Magdalene Chalikia) Hinsz, Fargo; and her two daughters Twila (Scott) Petersen, Dickinson; and Gail (Brian) Urbanec, Dickinson. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren: Bryan, Mark, and Lee Hinsz, Janine Focke; Siana and Lorien Hinsz; Jessica Molstre, Colin and Morgan Petersen; John, Marina, and Brett Urbanec. She derived extreme joy from her five great-grandchildren: Nicholas and Mia Hinsz, Beth Focke, Haley Hinsz, and Eliana Molstre. Gerty was also survived by her four sisters: Ellen Renner, Marian Morast, Selma (Jerry) Heihn, all of Beulah; and Esther (Irvin) Klatt, Jamestown. Gerty was also survived by her in-laws including Rachael Sagmiller, Eldora Tesky, Laverna (Wally) Maas, Esther (Elmer) Weigum, and Marie (Melvin) Boeshans, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Gerty was preceded in death by her husband, an infant son, her parents, and many other friends and family members. Her life’s journey was devoted to her family and friends, who will miss her dearly.
