Jessica M. Hinz

Jessica Hinz, 15 Kearney resident Jessica Hinz, 15, of Kearney, died peacefully in her parent’s arms on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at her home in Kearney, Nebraska. A Celebration of Life Service for Jessica Marie Hinz of Kearney, Nebraska will begin at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at the Evangelical Free Church in Kearney, Nebraska. A private interment for the family will be held prior to the service. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 pm Monday at the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Memorials are suggested to Tiny Hands International, P.O. Box 67195 Lincoln, NE 68506 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jessica was born February 25, 2002 in Kearney, NE. She was the youngest of three children born to Rod and Shelly Hinz. Jessica loved school and attended Kearney High School in Kearney, Nebraska. Jessica had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, reading avidly and a creative spirit expressed through her art and hobbies. She was much loved by her family and friends and had a special gift of celebrating life’s circumstances with the most tender of heart; never missing an opportunity to encourage whomever she was with, be it a stranger or friend. Jessica considered herself completely ordinary and unremarkable, but as a little girl, Jessica invited Jesus to live in her heart and He was preparing her for the remarkable life she would lead. God took what she considered ordinary and transformed it into an extraordinary life. With each passing day, we saw Christ’s love radiate from her as she grew into the special girl God had placed in our care. As Jessica grew older and began to develop lasting friendships, it didn’t take long to realize that her friends were anything but ordinary. Our daughter was blessed with friendships that made us question how those so young could be so loving and protective of one another; Always laughing together as they shared victories and crying through shared sorrows. When God’s perfect plan turned us down what we considered an unexpected path, Jessica continued to look outward with the light in her heart shining brightly. Jessica lovingly protected and prepared her family for what lay ahead. She put her caregivers at ease with her gentle spirit, continually made heartfelt connections. The doctors and nursing staff viewed Jessica as a joy to care for and looked forward to her return visits. During her hospital stays, Jessica grieved for the children she encountered and time and again considered herself—blessed beyond measure. We know without doubt that other’s will join Jessica in eternity all because as a little girl she opened her heart to Jesus and He used her to draw others to Himself. What an incredible legacy we are privileged to be a part of now and forever! Jessica was greeted at heaven’s door by her Great-Grandparents, cherished family friends and three siblings taken prior to their birth whom Jessica looked forward to meeting and naming. Jessica leaves to celebrate of her life, her mother Shelly Hinz; father Rod Hinz and wife Deone; her brother Alec Hinz and his fiancé Emily Kassmeier and her sister Elizabeth Hinz all of Kearney, Nebraska; her grandparents Ronald and Juanita Lyon of Holdrege, Nebraska; John and Gaylene O’Brien of Hastings, Nebraska; Dale and Carol Hinz and Andy and Connie Bowman both of Kearney, Nebraska. Aunts and Uncles include: Jim and Angie Palmer of Elm Creek Nebraska and their children , Katelyn Patterson and her husband Jordan of Minden, Nebraska, Mitchell and his wife Lindsay, of Elm Creek, Nebraska, Courtney and her fiancé Connor Bliss of Grand Island, Nebraska and Jason Palmer of Elm Creek; Scott and Sandra Hinz of Lenexa, Kansas and their son Matt; Todd Hinz of Kearney, Nebraska; Kent and Stacy Hinz of Smithville, Missouri and their son Colby; Stacy O’Brien of Winter Park, Colorado; Bill and Christie Butz and their children Lauren, Natalynn, Caitlyn and Ellianna of Red Oak, Iowa; Angela Temple and her son Zachary of Holdrege, Nebraska; Andy and Stephanie Sherrerd and their children Drew and Max of St. Wayne, Oklahoma; Rob and Ashlee Hobelman and Brody and Rachel Bowman and their children Brance and Hanah of Lincoln, Nebraska. Honorary family members, Alex Aistrop, Alexis Barth, Alli Chally, McKenzie Deterding, Kaylie Miller, and Jessica’s Yorkie puppy Rory.

Jessica M. Hinz

February 25, 2002 - May 23, 2017