Barbara Lynne Hinkel

HINKEL, DARROW, DRAKE, WALL, CASE

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 7/12/2022 at 08:10:18

Our beloved mother, Barbara Lynne Hinkel had the audacity to pass away on the Fourth of July 2022. Her passing on that date is fully appropriate. She was 80 years young and lived a full life. Her sharp mind, sense of humor and compassion to all those around her will be greatly missed.

Barbara grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She lived in a small humble house with her siblings and parents near the Cedar River, a railroad track, and one of the last outhouses in the area.

Barbara cared for and was compassionate to all of those around her giving herself to take care of others all of her life. She was a nurse for over 25 years and cared for patients at local hospitals including the VA hospital in Iowa City. She later worked for the University of Iowa Hospital and was a lifelong Hawkeye fan.

All of her children: Gary Darrow, Theresa Drake, Denise Wall, and Aaron Case benefitted from Barb’s ability to provide for, love and give her compassion to them. Cooking, playing cards and games, counseling, and consoling, and being there for her children and grandchildren were a hallmark of hers. As a mother, she gave them better lives and greater opportunities than her own.

As a grandmother, Barb was also a pillar for her 21 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren, giving them the love and attention they needed to thrive. They could always depend on Grandma Barb.

Progress not perfection was Barb’s mantra when it came to finding love in her life. She married, remarried, and re-remarried. Her third time was a charm, finding a strong and loving relationship with Russell Hinkel. The two were often in their element as camp hosts at the Coralville Reservoir, visiting family on the road, beating Russ at cribbage, and showing their prowess playing cards and winning at local Bingo halls.

Barbara was very smart, a great listener and well spoken. She was a survivor and rose above many barriers and passed that tenacity onto many around her. Indeed, she passed on the 4th of July. She was a bright light and firecracker to many of us, but she was also the person who planned the celebration, brought us together, cooked for us, and made us feel at home so we could enjoy being together as friends and family. Forever in our hearts, always in our memories, she will be greatly missed.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

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