Belle Hinrichs, 100, of Wessington Springs and Prairie View Care Center in Woonsocket, died Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
A Celebration of Life service was held Saturday, Dec. 5 at the United Methodist Church in Wessington Springs with burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery. Visitation with a 7 p.m. prayer service was Friday, Dec. 4 at the church.
Belle (Lulu Arabelle) Workman was born Aug. 16, 1915, in White Lake to Ellsworth and Leila (Blanch) Workman, growing up on farms north of White Lake. In 1930, her parents bought the Crow Lake Store and that was her home until marriage. She graduated from White Lake High School in 1932 and attended Wessington Springs Junior College in 1935-36. She then taught rural schools in Jones and Jerauld counties.
On June 7, 1939, she married James Hinrichs in her parent’s home at Crow Lake. They lived for 45 years in Viola Township where they farmed and raised five children.
Belle was a member of the Human Flag Pageant that included trips to North Carolina and Mt. Rushmore, and was an active supporter of the South Dakota State Fair, entering classes in baking, sewing and quilting. She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church and belonged to the Eastern Star, PEO, Senior Center and helped deliver meals on wheels. In 1976, Belle was named Eminent Homemaker of South Dakota.
Belle leaves Jim, her husband of 76 years; five children, Myrna (Roger) Mentzer of Kimball, Myron Hinrichs of Petaluma, Calif., Wayne (Robin) Hinrichs of Novato, Calif., LaDonna (Kim) Callies of Madison, and Tim Hinrichs of Cypress, Texas; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; one brother-in-law, Merle Hinrichs; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister; and two brothers.
Memorials can be directed to Wessington Springs United Methodist Church, Senior Citizens Center or Jerauld County 4-H.