Norman Hinrichs Nov. 24, 1927 – June 21, 2018

                  Norman Hinrichs age 90, died Thursday, June 21, 2018 peacefully at his home following a sudden illness.

Funeral services will be held Thursday morning, June 28, 2018 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Monticello at 11 a.m with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery with military honors by the United States Army. Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Surviving is his wife Betty, four children,  Julie (Alan) Mostert, Clearwater, Fla., Jerry (Marla) Hinrichs, Monticello, Janelle Pfiffner, San Clemente, Calif., Jeff (Sandy)  Hinrichs, Monticello, 19 grandchildren,  19 great-grandchildren, a sister, Betty (Jerry) Andresen, Wyoming, and in-laws, Mildred Hinrichs, Ray (Lorna) Rieniets and Jan Hinrichs.  He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers LeRoy and Harvey and in-laws, Leona Bender and Paul Rieniets.

Norman Tobias Hinrichs was born Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 1927 on the family farm in Wayne Township, Jones County, Iowa.  He was the son of Tobias and Elise Doden, Hinrichs.  Norman farmed with his parents until he went to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War.  Norman married Betty Rieniets on Sept. 6, 1953 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church.  The couple farmed until 1959.  Norman then went to work as a carpenter for Paul Arduser.  In 1962 he became a custodian at the Monticello Community Schools. By 1971 he was the head custodian and took over the operation of the busses.  He retired as the Director of Auxiliary Services for the Monticello Community Schools in 1990.   Norm then went to work for his sons as a carpenter and “go-fer.”

Norm was married to Betty for 64 years, which they were blessed to be there for one another.

Norm was a long time member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, where he served as a deacon and many other offices.  He was a member of the Monticello Lions Club since 1971 serving in all of the offices.  He was given the Warren Colman Award as the outstanding Lion in Iowa in 1977.  

      Norm spent his retirement years with projects around his home, helping with his children’s projects at their homes, and kept tabs on all his grandchildren.  He always found a place where he was needed.  In 1998 he wrote an autobiography ending with this paragraph: “God has given me a good life, so many things to be thankful for; I am ready for the time when the Lord is ready to take me to his Heavenly home.”