Roger L. Hinrichs, age 84, of Rice Lake, was called home by his Lord after a long battle with lung fibrosis.

He was born September 21st 1939 in Middleton, the son of George and Edna (Jensen) Hinrichs. Roger married Patricia Keller of Middleton on September 1st of 1962. They started out on a small dairy farm in Cashton until settling in Chetek to raise their family.

Roger loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was active in church for many years. It was so important to him that he was very insistent that his family attended church. Roger used his faith as a reason to provide for his family whom he loved and cared for. He always was very thankful for being able to work and provide for his family in agriculture. The people, the animals, the land, and the businesses of agriculture held a special spot in his heart.

Roger worked for many years at the Barron Farmers Union and went to work at Busse’s Custom Spraying. Roger’s last heart surgery occurred at the age of 80 in which he retired permanently. He was devastated as he so missed the friends that he worked with and for.

His interests were gardening, baking, watching football, politics and he always had to watch the weather. He always needed to know how hot or dry it might be and when the first frost was coming. Roger enjoyed debating politics, but he could not help himself when it came to teasing and joking. This was an attribute that everyone did not always enjoy as much as he always did. He always said the teasing was the best way to build character.

Roger leaves three children behind to cherish his memory, Robert (Laurie) Hinrichs of Rice Lake, Dawn (Wayne) Ayers of Dallas and Rebekah Hinrichs of Bayard, NM; and grandchildren, Mikayla (Mike) Solie, Sam (Grace) Ayers, Ian Hinrichs and Elizabeth Ayers.  He will also be greatly missed by his three sisters, Harriet Meier of Cherry Valley, IL, Judy (Richard) Schwenn of Verona and Linda (James) Lehrmann of Racine.  

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, George and Edna (Thew) Hinrichs; sister, Karen Dammen; and brothers, Joseph Hinrichs and LaVern Hinrichs.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 15th at Rausch and Steel Funeral Home, 19 South Third Street in Barron from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church. A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 16th at Christ Lutheran Church, 1080 Meilahn Street in Chetek with Pastor Tylan Dalrymple conducting the service. Roger will be buried in Collingwood Cemetery following lunch.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.

Last Update: May 13, 2024 3:41 pm CDT