James Frank Hinrichs, 101, of Wessington Springs, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at the Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket.
Funeral services were Monday, Dec. 12, at the United Methodist Church in Wessington Springs with Rev. Zach Kingery officiating. Burial was in the Prospect Hill Cemetery. Visitation was Sunday, Dec. 11, from 2-4 p.m. at the church with a prayer service at 4 p.m.
James Hinrichs was born Feb. 1, 1915, in Nobles County, Minn., to George Hinrichs and Agatha (Daniels) Hinrichs. When Jim was five, the family moved back to his father’s family farm in Jerauld County, and for the next 15 years, Jim was a Crow Lake Boy, growing up in the community, attending several grade schools, and graduating from Sefrna School in 1928. For three years, he attended Patten High School south of Crow Lake, and paid his way by driving a school bus pulled by a team of horses.
Because of the Great Depression, Jim took a year off of school, but found room and board for farm work and graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1933. For the next six years, he worked summers on a farm at Dell Rapids.
On June 7, 1939, Jim married Belle Workman in her parent’s home at Crow Lake. In 1946, he bought his own place in Viola Township and started farming, where he and Belle raised five children and actively participated in the life of the community. After 45 years of farming, they moved to town in 1984.
Jim became supervisor of the Jerauld County Soil Conservation Service in the mid-50s and served on it for over three decades. He also served on the Jerauld County ASC Board and the Jerauld County Weed Board. Jim was a strong supporter of 4-H as a club leader. He served on the Viola Township board, was a member of the United Methodist Church and chairman of the board of trustees, and in 1960, became a member of the advisory board of the National Bank of South Dakota in Wessington Springs.
In his spare time, Jim enjoyed playing cards, golfing and bowling. He and Belle traveled to China, Alaska and Germany, and were enthusiastic Winnebago campers.
He is survived by his 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, Merle Hinrichs; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 76 years, Belle; his parents; four brothers and two sisters.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Wessington Springs United Methodist Church, Senior Citizens Center or Jerauld County 4-H.