Roger Hinrichs obituary

Roger “Rudy” Hinrichs passed on to his heavenly home on April 25, 2026.  He was born February 26, 1942 to Henry and Erna (Klindworth) Hinrichs in Red Wing, Minn.  
He developed a love for horses working with his father’s team and attended country school in Wacouta with his six siblings. His first job was at the Red Wing drive-in movie theater where he earned enough to buy a bicycle to get to work. After his father broke his back, he went to work evenings at Red Wing Shoe and ran the family farm near Wacouta.  
He married JoAnn (Richardson) Hinrichs on March 9, 1963 and they made their home near Frontenac. She survives him in Lake City. They had three children:  Jeff (Tammy) Hinrichs of Red Wing, Jerry (Dawn Crocket-Cripe) of Wabasha, and Tammi (Jay) Johnson of Zumbro Falls.  
He proudly worked his whole career at Red Wing Shoe and went back in retirement to help build the giant boot. He also ran Hinrichs Auto Body at his home and never liked to pass up a car lot.  His favorite activities were cruises, garage sales, auctions, eating out, and spending time at the various cabins/homes they had in the Webster/Danbury, Wisconsin areas.
He was his children’s and grandchildren’s biggest fan and would drop everything to spend time with anyone who stopped in. He was the kindest, most giving man in all our lives. He was Papa to Zach and Chelsea Hinrichs and Andrew and McKenzie (Tyler) Harrison, as well as step granddaughters Stephanie Kirchner and Tiffany (Ken) Gappa and step great-grandchildren, Brady and Hunter Kirchner and Drake, Charlie and Abby Gappa. He is also survived by his sisters Carol Lichtblau of Lake City and Darlene Richter of Red Wing, a brother Virgil Hinrichs of Bay City, as well as many nieces and nephews.  Also surviving him are sisters-in-law, Carol Hoffman and Rita Richardson, and brothers-in-law Daniel and Steve Richardson.
He was preceded in death by his grandson Andrew Johnson, his parents and sisters Dorothy Paul and Marilyn Glander and brother Harold Hinrichs. Also preceding him were his mother- and father-in-law Faye and Bob Peterson, sisters-in-law Mona Butler, Diane Richardson, Carmen and Joyce Hinrichs and brothers-in-law David and James Richardson, Pat Butler, Kenneth Hoffman, Ralph Lichtblau, Orville Richter, Bud Glander, Bill Bade, and Leon Paul.  
Roger spent the last two years of his life in memory care at St. Elizabeth’s in Wabasha, where he received amazing care. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.