Emma Jean Hinrichs, 100, of Frederic, Wisconsin, passed away in her sleep at the Burnett Medical Continuing Care Center on Jan. 2, 2026. She will be deeply missed.
She was born in Clam Falls Township, Wisconsin, on Feb. 3, 1925, to Harry and Alice Nelson and was baptized at Clam Falls Lutheran Church on Aug. 2, 1925. She attended Rocky Ridge Grade School through sixth grade, then Frederic Junior and Senior High School, graduating in 1943. On June 18, 1944, she was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Frederic. March 4, 1944, she married her best friend and partner forever, Robert Hinrichs. To this union, two sons were born, Roger and Gary.
Emma Jean and Bob were both active in community gatherings, and Emma Jean was a member of 4-H and was always willing to help when needed. They enjoyed spending time with neighbors on picnics, dancing, many get-togethers in the summer, and playing canasta in the winter.
Emma Jean was the firstborn of 15 siblings. Whenever another baby was born, her mom would ask her what the baby’s name should be, and Emma Jean would come up with a name. She helped care for many of those babies. In about 1955, she started working outside of the home, first at Birchwood Beach Resort on Spirit Lake cleaning cabins, then at Charlie’s Cleaners, Hagberg’s Clothing Store, and Ben Franklin in Frederic. She also raised two boys and helped on the farm. When grandchildren were born, she spent time with the two girls who lived just down the road, helping teach them the values of life, as well as time with the three boys from Rice Lake. The girls learned to garden as Emma Jean was wonderful with flowers and plants; but importantly, they learned how to bake cookies.
She moved into the apartments by Coon Lake, where one of her sisters lived, sometime in September 2018 and around the first of October 2018, sold the farm that she so dearly loved and had an auction.
On March 7, 2019, she had a stroke that left her paralyzed on her left side. After spending time in Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she came back to Burnett Medical Center for further rehabilitation, then entered the Continuing Care Center on April 1, 2019, where, under the most loving care by the staff, she spent her final years. Many thanks.
Emma Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Alice Nelson; husband, Robert; and siblings, Byron (Pete), Ida Jane, Mary Ann, Kenneth, Betty Lou, Ina Mae, Louis Faye, Gerald, Harold, Darlene, and Geraldine.
She is survived by sons, Roger (Sandy) Hinrichs and Gary (Phyllis) Hinrichs; grandchildren, Barb (Tom) Rippberger, Brenda (Chad) Alden, Chris (Stacy) Hinrichs, Tim (Sherrie) Hinrichs, Joel Hinrichs, and Scott (Stacy) Tubbs; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Sharon (Leo) Themme; brothers, Dale and Leslie (Nikki) Nelson; and many other relatives and friends.
There will be a visitation on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at the Rowe Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. The funeral service is Thursday, Jan. 8 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Frederic at 11 a.m.; burial and lunch to follow.
Pallbearers are Zack and Dylan Rippberger, Tim, Joel and Chris Hinrichs, and Chad Alden.
Pastor Scott Peterson will officiate with Cindy Wright as organist.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories, and photos at rowefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic, 715-327-4475.
