Todd D. Hinz

Todd Dale Hinz of Kearney, Nebraska, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 19, 2026, at the age of 59. A celebration of his life will be on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Berean Church, 1004 30th Avenue, in Kearney with Pastor Kelly Larsen officiating. Todd was born on October 18, 1966, in Beatrice, Nebraska, the third of five children born to Dale and Carol Hinz. Besides being a devoted son, he was also considered the favorite brother by all his siblings, and successfully achieved his goal of being the favorite uncle and favorite great uncle (the candy and quarters might have helped). Todd grew up on a farm southwest of Plymouth, Nebraska. He attended Plymouth Elementary School and then Tri-County Junior/Senior High School south of DeWitt, Nebraska, graduating with the class of 1985. In August of 1985, Todd moved with his family to Holdrege, Nebraska. Shortly after that time, Todd was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin Lymphoma. After 12 months of chemotherapy and radiation he was declared cancer free. In 2001 at the age of 34, Todd suffered a massive stroke that left him paralyzed on his left side. He spent two months at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and months of additional outpatient physical and occupational therapy to learn to walk and function again. A special verse at that time was Isaiah 40:31. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Todd experienced a lot of medical problems and physical pain, but he never complained about these challenges and always kept a positive attitude. His family and faith in Jesus kept him going. It was during these immense trials that Todd’s faith really grew. As it says in Romans 8:3-4, “We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Todd said many times that he would not want to go back to how he was before his cancer and stroke because of how his relationship with Jesus grew so much during that time. In 2007 Todd moved to Kearney, Nebraska, where he resided until his death. Todd’s dad was one of his best friends. As a little boy, Todd dreamed of being a farmer like his dad. He loved going to work with him whether it was to ride in the tractor or to go to the family farm implement business. Todd was very mechanical. At the implement business, he loved to help out the mechanics who would pay him in pop. One day the mechanics told him he should play hooky from school so he could go help them instead. He quickly followed their suggestion. In the morning, he told mom he had a stomach ache. After the school bus left, he quickly recovered and asked to go with dad. Amazingly, mom agreed and let him go. After a few times of this mom finally caught on to what he was doing. When the farming plans didn’t work out, Todd quickly adapted. He followed his love for math and became the bookkeeper, a partial owner, and current President for the family business, Hinz Trucking in Odessa, Nebraska. Todd was loved at work and many there even affectionally referred to him as Uncle Todd. Family was very important to Todd. Even though he never had his own kids, he considered his nephews and nieces as his own. He especially loved spending time with them and going to their activities. He liked to golf and he was always excited to be able to buy his nephews their first set of golf clubs. He spent many days golfing with his dad, brothers, and nephews. Todd also loved Husker sports, and loved taking family and friends to the games. Todd was fondly referred to as the candy man. You could always count on him to have a bag of candy to hand out to the kids. Todd was known for his generosity, resiliency, and sense of humor. Even in his final hours, he joked that he was back in ICU because the nurses were prettier there. Todd loved Jesus and accepted Him as his Lord and Savior at a very early age. Church and giving to Christian organizations were always a priority for him. He attended Jansen Bible Church in Jansen, Nebraska; Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska; and Cornerstone Berean Church in Kearney, Nebraska. Over the years he helped with the youth, ushered, and served on the Faith Christian school board. One Christmas he encouraged his nephews and nieces to read the Bible through in a year by giving them all a One Year Bible. In whatever he did, he tried to bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Today we know without a doubt that he is in heaven. Todd was proceeded in death by his father, Dale Hinz; his grandparents: Harvey and Hilka Hinz and Harold and Irma Andrews; his niece, Jessica Hinz; and his beloved dog, Duke. Left to celebrate his life are Todd’s mother: Carol Hinz of Kearney; siblings: Rod (Deone) Hinz of Kearney; Scott (Sandra) Hinz of Peoria, AZ; Angie (Jim) Palmer of Elm Creek, NE; and Kent (Stacie) Hinz of Smithville, MO; nephews and nieces: Alec Hinz of Kearney; Elizabeth Hinz of Phoenix, AZ; Matt Hinz of Peoria, AZ; Katelyn (Jordan) Patterson of Kearney; Mitchell (Lindsey) Palmer of Elm Creek, NE; Courtney (Connor) Bliss of Kearney; Jason Palmer of Elm Creek, NE; and Colby Hinz of Smithville, MO; great nephews and great nieces: Kollyns and Crew Patterson; Andrew, Nora, Halle, and Carson Palmer; and Bowen, Lucy, and Judah Bliss; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. Memorials are suggested to the Todd Becker Foundation or Cornerstone Berean Church. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger is in charge of the arrangements.

Todd D. Hinz

October 18, 1966 - March 19, 2026