Marilyn J. Hinz

Marilyn Jean Hinz, age 90, of Appleton, passed away peacefully in the company of her children on Sunday February 26, 2023.

Marilyn was born on September 25, 1932, in Appleton, the youngest child of the late Oscar and Edna (Schmidt) Radtke. She was a 1950 graduate of Appleton High School and received her BSN in nursing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1956.

On June 1, 1957, Marilyn married Kenneth Hinz, and they raised three wonderful children of whom she was very proud. She was employed as a nurse in a variety of setting, spending many years at Appleton Memorial Hospital and Appleton Allergy Associates retiring at age 61.

Ken and Marilyn were together for 70 years and married for 64 and a half years. They had an amazingly strong love and were often seen holding hands and flirting with each other. According to Marilyn, Ken was “Mr. Wonderful.” She called him this so often, the name eventually caught on and resulting in their friends calling him this.

Ken and Marilyn moved to Ridgeview Highlands in 2010 where they lived for 11 years enjoying the company of their fellow residents. In August 2021 they moved to Touchmark assisted living. After Ken died in December 2021, Marilyn continued to live at Touchmark under the wonderful care she received by the staff.

Marilyn was known for her hugs at Touchmark and many of her caregivers did not leave her apartment until they received one. The Touchmark staff continually commented on how happy and grateful Marilyn was, always having a smile on her face. She was fighting lung cancer but remained positive throughout her time there.

Marilyn loved spending time at their cottage on Catfish Lake in Eagle River. Ken and Marilyn worked hard together to make the cottage a wonderful place for the family to gather. Often children and grandchildren gathered in Eagle River to enjoy the summer and make lasting memories. Marilyn cherished the time she got to spend with her children and grandchildren.

Marilyn and Ken enjoyed playing golf, cribbage, and bridge. In her spare time, Marilyn enjoyed sewing, making clothes for her children and suits and ties for Ken. She also was an excellent knitter, creating mittens, socks, sweater vests, afghans, and dishcloths.

Ken and Marilyn were longtime members at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Appleton. Marilyn had a strong faith and prayer life. She prayed before every meal and every night before going to bed. She looked forward to reuniting with her husband in heaven.

Marilyn will be missed and lovingly remembered by her children, family, and friends. She is survived by her children Linda (Marty) Croak of McFarland; KC (Erin) Hinz of Rochester, Minnesota; and Nancy Harke of Appleton; and her five grandchildren Patrick Croak, Claudia (Drumil) Bhatt, Erik (Gwen Elwood) Harke, Aurora Hinz, and Catherine Hinz.

Marilyn will also be missed by her sisters, Verna Purdom and Dolores Steil, her brother-in-law, Richard (Buzz) Hinz and his wife Marion, and sister-in-law Doris Falk, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken Hinz, brother Claude Radtke, brothers-in-laws Bill Strelow, Mel Steil, Chuck Purdom, Norm Schleitwiler, Ken Falk, Les Winkler and Glen Haas and sisters- in-law Marge Schleitwiler, Phyllis Haas, and Sandy Radtke.

The Christian Funeral Service for Marilyn will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, located at 302 N. Morrison Street in Appleton, with Rev. Justin Shrum officiating.  Burial will take place at Highland Memorial Park.  Friends may visit between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM Friday at Wichmann Funeral Home, located at 537 N. Superior Street, and on Saturday at the church beginning at 1:00 PM.

A memorial fund in Marilyn’s name has been established.

The family would like to thank the staff of Touchmark and ThedaCare at Home hospice for providing wonderful compassionate care to our mother.