Mary A. Hinkel
September 18, 1928 - February 11, 2018

Mary A. Hinkel, age 89, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 2:55 p.m., on Sunday, February 11, 2018, at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. To honor Mary's life, funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at St. Columbkille's Church, 1230 Rush Street, with Rev. Gabriel C. Anderson officiating. To celebrate Mary's life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Friday, February 16, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where a parish scripture wake service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Entombment will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.Mary was born on September 18, 1928, in Farley, Iowa, daughter of Fred and Katherine (Mueller) Berberich. Mary attended St. Mary's Grade School and went on to graduate from the Immaculate Conception Academy, Class of 1946. Over the years, Mary always looked forward to reconnecting with her friends at the alumnae banquets. Mary was united in marriage to the love of her life, Kenneth Hinkel, on June 27, 1964, at St. Mary's Church in Dubuque. The two have been truly blessed with 4 deeply adored children, and 53 wonderful years together. Mary was raised with a strong work ethic and earnestly invested over 14 years of her working career as an assistant to the late Dr. Robert J. McNamara, Urologist. Even after her retirement, Mary would remain active in the medical field by volunteering at Mercy Hospital for over 20 years. She cherished her role as wife, mother and homemaker, who took great pride in making sure her family was well taken care of and her home was always welcoming. In her free time, Mary enjoyed being outdoors soaking in the warm sun and also putting her green thumb to work as a volunteer at the Dubuque Arboretum for over 18 years. Her faith was very important to her and she was a loyal and long-time member of St. Columbkille's Church. Before that, she and her family were members of St. Mary's Church, where she continually embraced every opportunity to serve others within her church. Family, however, was the one thing in this world which brought Mary the greatest joy; any time she was able to spend with them was precious and time well spent to her. We are deeply saddened at the loss of such a wonderful wife, mother, sister and friend, but we know that one day we will all be reunited again to gather together forever at our eternal family reunion.Mary looked for the best in others, and gave the very best she had.

Those left to cherish Mary's memory includeher loving husband,
Kenneth Hinkel, Dubuque, IA;her children,
Barbara Hinkel,
Karen (Brian Besler) Hinkel,
and Deborah (Michael) Boland, all of Dubuque, IA;and her sisters,
Lillian Bowden,
Katherine Beecher
and Connie Weis, all of Dubuque, IA.Mary was preceded in death by her parents; a son, John Joseph Hinkel; and her brothers-in-law, Joseph Bowden and Dave Weis.A Mary A. Hinkel memorial fund has been established, which will be distributed among her favorite charities.Mary's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at Finley Hospital for their outstanding care of Mary, and her family.

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