Bernard A. Hinrichs

Bernard Allen Hinrichs was called home by the Lord on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at Thayer County Memorial Hospital while surrounded by family at the age of 88 years, 4 months, and 11 days. Bernard was born on May 6, 1925 to Henry and Hilda (Higel) Hinrichs on a farm southwest of Ohiowa. He was one of two children. Bernard was baptized on June 7, 1925 by Pastor G. Kratt of St. John’s Lutheran Church (South Church) where he was also confirmed the 3rd of September 1939 by Pastor V.R. Pietzko. His memory verse was 2 Cor. 5, Verse 15. He grew up going to country school and graduated from Ohiowa High School in 1943. Bernard was married to Hazel Eich on March 12, 1945. To this union six children were born, Max, Vaughn, Rex, Gary, Carol, and Nancy. They enjoyed 37 years of marriage. Hazel died November 1982. On January 25, 1986 he married Ruby (Bedlan) Peppie. They enjoyed 27 years of marriage. They enjoyed attending numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities, antique tractor shows, and spending many winters in Arizona. Bernard was a farmer and custom combiner traveling from Kingfisher, OK to Jamestown N.D. for 13 years with his dad and brother in-law Louis Schoenholz . Operating the combine was always his passion up until 2012 when he was 87 years young. Bernard loved the good ole days but always looked ahead to new technology. He loved the harvest – missing only one wheat harvest due to health problems. No matter how bad a summer Bernard had, he always perked up in the fall about harvest time. He would always say, “You know, this is my vacation.” Bernard started driving truck at age 14 hauling grain away from the combine. He eventually got to operate the combine and loved every minute of it. Bernard’s hobbies included going to antique tractor shows, collecting Rumley and Oliver tractors, telling jokes and visiting with friends. Bernard served in the United States Army, was a member of the Fairbury Elks Lodge and was Thayer County Commissioner. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bruning where he served on the Church Endowment Board for many years. He served on many other boards including the Bruning School Board, FHA Board, and Bruning Grain and Feed Board. Bernard is survived by wife Ruby, children: Max (Karen), Vaughn (Vicki), Rex (Pat), Gary (Nancy), Carol (Leroy) Voss, Nancy (Jeff) Joe; grandchildren/great-grandchildren: Jess (Megan) Hinrichs, Luke, Joe, Jacob, Connor; Jodi (Matt) Weber, Nolan, Easton, Elijah; Jane (Mike) Fountain, Jaren, Kale, Bryce, Trace; Shawn Hinrichs, Travis (Jenny) Hinrichs, Sammy, Brett; Kristen (Tracy) Henke, Abe; Nicole (Mike) Frank, Reese, Hannah; Jered (Tammy) Hinrichs, Gatlin, Elizabeth; Andrew (Megan) Hinrichs, Lenora; Laura (Brandon) Bryan, Sage, Gus; Chad (Rachelle) Hinrichs, Riley, Jaci; Bryan (Valerie) Hinrichs, Marah, Mikayla, Kendall; Angela (Robert) Miller, Daniel, Lindsay; Mike (Ambur) Hinrichs, Claire, Emma; Jeremy (Stephanie) Hinrichs, Peyton, Gabriel, Kody; Joel Voss, Mikyna; Neal (Tara) Voss, Tobby, Carter; Cory (Samantha) Voss; Grady Joe, Gabrielle Joe. Step-children: Jackie (Ken) Mach, MaryBeth (Jim) Harrold, Gary (Carol) Peppie; step-grandchildren: Tiffany Vieth, Kelby, Dalton; Todd Mach; Kim (Marc) Vieth, Brady, Bailey; Stephanie (Kent) Crandall, Taylor, Connor; Lisa (Kevin) Kimbrough, Maddy, Thayne; Julie (Jim) Stutzman, Tucker, Jasper; sister, LoElla Hinrichs Schoenholz along with nieces, nephews and other relatives. Bernard was preceded in death by wife Hazel, his parents, brother in-law Louis Schoenholz, and grand-daughter Melissa Hinrichs. Funeral services were conducted on Monday, September 23, 2013, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bruning Nebraska with Pastor Stuart Sell officiating. Janice Fintel accompanied the congregation who sang On Eagles Wings, The Old Rugged Cross and I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry. Casket bearers were Jess Hinrichs, Shawn Hinrichs, Jered Hinrichs, Chad Hinrichs, Joel Voss and Grady Joe. Honorary bearers were his grandchildren, great grandchildren, Frank Bruning and Darreld Domeier. Interment was in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery with Farmer & Son Funeral Home in charge of the arrangments.

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Bernard A. Hinrichs

May 6, 1925 - September 18, 2013