Diane Ladonna Hinz

Diane LaDonna Hinz was born on July 17, 1957 to Raymond and Lavon (Huebner) Petroff in Pipestone, Minnesota. She attended Holland Elementary School in Holland, Minnesota through the sixth grade and then continued her education at Pipestone High School in Pipestone. After her graduation from high school, she attended Pipestone Vocational Technical School. Upon completion of her education, she worked at Anne’s Caf, Lange’s Caf, Good Samaritan Home, and Ellison Meats. On June 30, 1990, Diane was united in marriage to John Hinz at an outdoor ceremony at the city park in Holland, Minnesota. They made their home in Holland. On April 6, 2015, Diane became sick and was diagnosed with cancer of the liver and lungs. She was comforted by all the people praying for her and helping her through her struggle. On Sunday, September 20, 2015, she entered the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She died there on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at the age of 58 years, two months and six days.

Diane was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Holland, Minnesota. She was also a member of Earl Gruis American Legion Post 534 Auxiliary, Holland Senior Citizens, Minnesota Street Rod Association and the Prairie Riders Saddle Club. She had many hobbies including sewing, crocheting, working with flowers and decorating for Halloween. She was a lover of all creatures: fish, cats, dogs, birds and rabbits, especially her dogs and horses. She decided to get back into horses because of her grandchildren and there enjoyment in 4-H. She bought herself a retired racehorse named Rocky Plains whom she loved dearly and later became her therapy horse. She enjoyed going to Back to the 50’s antique car show with John. The one thing she loved the most was her grandchildren and spending time with them.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, John Hinz of Holland, Minnesota; two children, Justin Backlund of Minneapolis, Minnesota and April Petroff of Edgerton, Minnesota; three grandchildren, Dion, Creed and Alyssa Petroff of Edgerton; her mother, Lavon Timm of Pipestone, Minnesota; two brothers, Michael Petroff and his wife Dawn of Tea, South Dakota and Bernard Imhoff of Holland; and nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Raymond; stepfather, Edger Timm; her grandparents, Donald and Elsie Huebner and Sam and Otella Petroff; and her favorite uncle, Dean Tuin.