Barbara Jean Hinnenkamp, age 73 of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at the CentraCare Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 14 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vincent Lieser officiating and Rev. Marvin Enneking concelebrating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.
Barbara Jean Wheatly was born May 20, 1941 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Regina Wheatly and was adopted by her parents, Remi and Irene (Fern) Verbeke. She graduated from Melrose High School in 1959. She was united in marriage to Luverne Hinnenkamp on September 2, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Barbara helped Luverne on the farm with tractor work and bailing hay, but mostly spent her time taking care of her family. She also worked at the Melrose Hospital as a nurse’s aide and at The Garland in Melrose. Barbara was proud to be a ten year volunteer at St. Michael’s Hospice in Sauk Centre.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Council, the Red Hats Society, the Mission Card Club, and was secretary for the Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 Auxiliary for four years. Barbara enjoyed traveling, playing cards and BUNKO, and loved visiting with her family and friends.
Survivors include her husband, Luverne Hinnenkamp of Melrose; children, Kenneth (Lynnell) Hinnenkamp of Albany and Christa (Ken) Heinen of Avon; and seven grandchildren, Corey and Brayden Hinnenkamp, Jena, Mitchel, Chantel, Caihley, and Chabree Heinen. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Jim Verbeke.
Serving as casket bearers were Mitchel Heinen, Corey Hinnenkamp, Glen Hinnenkamp, Dan Frieler, Jim Verbeke, Chantel Heinen, Ken Heinen, and Sara Nietfeld. Cross bearer was Cheryl Olson and scripture bearer was Jena Heinen. Serving as honorary bearers were the Red Hat Society and the Mission Card Club.

