Lester Dale Hinkle
August 7, 1935 - March 18, 2025
Lester Dale Hinkle of Wabasha, MN, returned home to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on March 18, 2025, at Gunderson-St. Elizabeth Care Center in Wabasha.
Les was born on August 8, 1935, in Spring Valley, MN, to Lester M. and Almeda (Miller) Hinkle. In 1941, the family, which now included his twin sisters, moved from Chatfield to a farm in rural Stewartville.
In 1955, Les was married to Mildred Amos. They were the proud parents of two sons, Greg and Jeff. They were later divorced. On June 19, 1976, he was united in marriage to Carolyn Vigum at Good Earth Village, Spring Valley, MN. They were the first couple ever married at Good Earth.
Les got his education from North Sumner Country School, Stewartville High School, the University of Minnesota, Dunwoody College of Technology and his Grandpa Miller who taught and encouraged his passion for everything mechanical.
While a student at the University, he went to work in the engineering department of Minneapolis Moline and knew he had found the career that he loved. After Minneapolis Moline closed, he worked for Gopher Aviation in Rochester. He also drove a school bus and together with his father, had a snowmobile shop in Stewartville. In 1976 he went to work at Stauffer Chemical in Rochester and later was recruited by Leprino Foods in Tracy, CA. The last stop in his career was Parker-Hannifin in Manhattan, KS, where he was head of the engineering department, retiring in 2004 after 25 years with the company.
Les loved all sports. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. Wherever he lived, he had to be near water and nothing was better than a day on the lake fishing. He played football, basketball, baseball and ran track and field while in high school and played a little football at the University. He and Carolyn loved attending the University of Minnesota, Kansas State and the Kansas City Chiefs football games and an occasional Royals game.
Whatever city Les lived in, he was very involved in the community, especially with youth activities. He coached Kid Wrestling and Little League Baseball. He served as an advisor for church youth groups, served on church councils, belonged to the Manhattan Optimist club where he served on the Board of Directors, officiated at the Big 12 University Track and Field competitions and served on the Board of Directors for the Kansas State University Track club. He worked with the Stewartville Driftskippers snowmobile club helping to raise money for the annual cancer telethon. Whenever he was asked, he was ready. He was very generous with his time and talents.
Les was preceded in death by his parents, his great-grandson, Braxton Hinkle, his sister, JoAnn Saterdalen, and his brothers-in-law, Bob Hicks and Paul Vigum.
Les is survived by his wife, Carolyn; sons, Greg (Sherry) Hinkle and Jeff (Bonnie) Hinkle of Stewartville; grandchildren Jarrod (Breanna) Hinkle and their children Pierson and Aubreanna of Dubuque, IA, Kyle (Lacy) Hinkle and their children Keely, Elsie and Decker of Stewartville, Jacob Hinkle of Minneapolis and Janelle Hinkle of Stewartville; one sister, Janet Hicks of Granbury, TX; sisters-in-law Margaret (Jerry) Wierson and Carol Vigum, of Ostrander, MN.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church, 905 Hiawatha Drive East, Wabasha, MN, with Pastor David Knox officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Interment will be at Bloomfield Cemetery, Ostrander, MN, on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
The family suggests memorials to St. Elizabeth’s Foundation or donor’s choice.
Services entrusted to Abbott Funeral Home & Crematory, Wabasha, MN. Words of sympathy or remembrance may be left at www.abbottfh.com
