Berdella Mae Hintz, age 93, formerly of rural New London (Township of Maple Creek), passed away on Dec. 13, 2016, at Kindred Hearts in Green Lake, following a gradual physical and mental decline from dementia.
She was born on May 24, 1923, the daughter of Henry and Lydia Hanke, nee Buboltz. On June 7, 1923, she became a child of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. She confessed her faith in Jesus as her Savior on her Confirmation Day at Emanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in New London on April 18, 1937. She was united in marriage to Orlo Hintz on July 19, 1942, at Emanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in the Township of Maple Creek, and they were blessed with 66 years together. They farmed until the mid-1960s, after which they built their retirement home on the property that they owned along the Embarrass River. Their travels took them to many areas of the United States. They also visited Malawi, Africa, during the time their son Michael served there as a missionary. Berdella was a faithful member of Emanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in New London where she had been an active participant in Ladies Aid and Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society. She was a Golden Hill Homemaker. Many summer weekends were spent at the family’s cottage on Shawano Lake. Family gatherings and spending time with her relatives and friends brought her great joy.
Berdella is survived by her 6 CHILDREN: Duane (Edith) Hintz of Hollywood, Maryland, Daryl (Mary) Hintz of Appleton, Rev. Gerald (Nancy) Hintz of Waukesha, Rev. Michael (Julie) Hintz of Wauwatosa, Corrine (Gary) Ziesemer of Green Lake, and Carol Gagnow of Appleton; her 21 GRANDCHILDREN: Reuben Hintz, Jennifer (Mike) Sadowski, Julie (Ben) Liebzeit, Bryan (Natalie) Hintz, Sgt. Joshua Hintz, Sadie Hintz, Chelsey (Jeremy) Hanel, Branden (Megan) Hintz, Lindsay Hintz, Kelsey Hintz, Caleb Hintz, Angela Hintz, Christopher (Nicole) Hintz, Paul (Erika) Hintz, Rachel (Andrew) Pedde, Mark (Sarah) Ziesemer, Chad (Amanda) Ziesemer, Katie (Andrew) Koffman, Kara (Clifford) Witthuhn, Jason (Dione) Gagnow, and Shauna (Steven) Kopitzke; her 29 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Elliott Sadowski; Emma & Cody Liebzeit; Amira Blair; Aria & Isla Hanel; Cassidy & Adylin Hintz; Kaylee, Joshua & Abbie Palm; Kaden, Kirsten, Logan & Ethan Hintz; Charlie and Max Hintz; Parker Pedde; Claire & Adam Ziesemer; Jacob Ziesemer; Hannah & Peter Koffman; Lydia, Evan, & Joel Witthuhn; Allison & Anne Gagnow; and Evelyn Kopitzke. She is further survived by her sister Mildred (Harold) Daberkow, a nephew David (Diane) Hintz, and nieces Jean Parker & Linda (Patrick) Flaherty. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Orlo on March 11, 2009, stepmother Olive Hanke, brother-in-law Merlin Hintz, and sister-in-law Dorothy Hintz.
The family thanks the staff at Kindred Hearts of New London and Green Lake for the compassionate care given to Berdella the past nine years. A sincere thank you is also extended to her Generations Hospice caregivers. Funeral service for Berdella will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church New London with Rev. Rodney Dietsche and Rev. William Heiges officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in the New Maple Creek Cemetery, Town of Maple Creek. Memorials to Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) for missions are appreciated.