Karen Hinrichs

Karen Hinrichs, age 80 of Omaha, formerly of Columbus died Monday, March 15, 2021 in Omaha.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 am Saturday, March 20 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus. The family will greet friends from 9-10 am Saturday at the church. Interment is in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Shelby.

Karen Hinrichs was born September 22, 1940 in Shelby, NE to Frank J and Valeria (Alt) Thelen. She grew up in Shelby and graduated from Shelby High School in 1958. Karen took a night train to California following graduation and went to work for Lear Corporation as the secretary to Mr. Lear. She lived and worked there for 3 years before returning to Columbus. Karen went to work for Dale Electronics. On October 20, 1962 she married Lee Hinrichs in Omaha. In 1968 she moved to Iowa before returning to Columbus in 1971. Following that, Karen was a stay-at-home mom. In 1976 she went to work for the Nebraska Department of Labor until retiring in 2007. Following Lee's death, she moved to Omaha to be closer to family.

Karen was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church and the National Secretary Association. She was very devoted to her family.

Karen is survived by:
Children: Jeff (Jennie) Hinrichs of Omaha, Beth Ann Garza of Omaha, Anita (Jim) Fish of Kansas City, MO, Brad (Judy) Hinrichs of Columbus

Grandchildren: Chelsea Hinrichs, Gillian Hinrichs, Alexander Hinrichs, Gabriella Garza, Trei (Lauren) Garza, Tracy (Pat) Dodd, Brandy (Troy) Rutten, April (Matt) Todd, Paul (Elisabeth) Scurti, Brandon Hinrichs, John (Melissa) Ernst, Amber (Kevin) Stary, and Kayle Ernst

Great Grandchildren: Lily Ann Garza, Greyson Garza, Quenten Birkel, Cameron (Kelly) Birkel, Hunter Birkel, Evelyn Birkel, Katie (Anthony) Stathos, Nathan Scurti, Kaedyn Stary, Stormy Ernst, Taja Ernst, Cory Ernst, Ella Jade Hinrichs, Haley Hinrichs, Noa Rutten, Annabella Egger, Ruby Todd, Hank Todd, Charlee Birkel, and Colt Birkel

Brother-in-law: Gordon Roese of Marcus, Iowa

She is preceded in death by:
Husband Lee Hinrichs
Parents Frank and Valeria Thelen
In-laws Orville and Lillian Hinrichs
Daughter Ann Reins
Granddaughter Robin Birkel
Siblings: John (Viola) Thelen, Frank (Marybelle) Thelen, George (Delores) Lux, Margaret Gabriel, in-laws Shirley Roese, and in- laws Roy (Colleen) Wells

Memorials can be directed to the family to be used for pancreatic research.