Norma H.A. Hinze was born at home, March 15, 1934, to Leonard and Clara (Matzner) Erks and passed away Aug. 13, 2026, at the age of 92 in Seward.
She was baptized April 8, 1934, by Pastor N.E. Meyer at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gresham and was also confirmed May 26, 1946, by Pastor Meyer. She married Wilmer P. Hinze, April 25, 1954, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. She received her GED April 21, 1987.
Norma and Wilmer lived on the Hinze family farm from 1954-1961, they then moved to Beatrice, then back to Utica in 1963 and rest of their years in Seward from 1965. Norma worked at the Utica Bindery, St John Lutheran School kitchen, Jack & Jill Grocery Store in the meat department, Seward Public School kitchen, Metromail, Grand Court-Seward and Rock Mount Cottages in Estes Park, Colorado.
They made many family friends in the places they lived and worked over their many years together, and their special card club groups that were life-lasting friendships. Norma was very proud of her embroidery and quilting. She made a special quilt for each of her grandchildren and baby quilts for all of her great-grandchildren. She and Wilmer enjoyed the many concerts, plays and numerous sporting events their grandchildren were involved in over many years.
She had a loving joy of being involved in the many activities, concerts and sporting events of her great-grandchildren and the most of spending time with them, playing cards or board games, she so loved their laughter and their hugs. They loved the Colorado Rocky Mountains and going to Branson for the many shows. Playing Bridge with her many friends over the years was a true joy and lifetime of friendships.
Norma and Wilmer loved watching Royals baseball over many years, they especially enjoyed their trip with their two grandsons for a weekend of baseball in Kansas City. She could tell you everything about each Royals baseball player over the many years. Norma cared for Wilmer many years with his Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, but it never stopped them from enjoying their grandchildren’s events or any family time. They lived a life of many family memories with family and their many friends.
Survivors include her children, Myra (Mike) Soflin of Seward, Eugene (Betty Baumann) Hinze of Utica, and Douglas (Debra Grams) Hinze of Axtell; grandchildren, Amanda (Clark) Jackson, Dillon Ruether, Sarah (Derek) Schweitzer, Eric (Kristyna Engdahl) Hinze, Stacy (Gary) Brockevelt, Emily (Chad) Heater, and Laura (Nick) Wiemer; step-grandchildren, David (Sunnie Diaz) Soflin, and Angie (Justin) Dobson; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Lily, Eli, Hayes, Brooks, Teagan, Gabriel, Bennett, Collin, Harper, Riley, Keagan, Grant, Madi and Kali; brother and sister-in-law, Loyd (Marlene) Erks; sister-in-law, Judy (Emil) Ruzicka; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilmer; parents, Leonard and Clara Erks, brother; Larry Erks; parents-in-law, Paul and Minnie (Fischer) Hinze, and Ethel (Burhoop) Hinze; sisters and brothers-in-laws; Geraldine (Erich) Knorr, and Pauline (Paul) Dinkelman; and brother-in-law, Clifford Hinze.
The funeral service was Aug. 19 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with committal at the Utica Cemetery.
Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
