Frank “Butch” Helmond Hince Jr., age 77, peacefully passed away at his home in Bay City, Wis., on Nov. 9, 2023. Born on Dec. 29, 1945, in Eau Claire, Wis., Frank was the son of Frank Sr. and Gloria (Kadinger) Hince. He was raised in Plum City, where he attended school. As a young man, he learned the craft of farming and fell in love with every aspect of it, cultivating a strong work ethic.
He moved to Red Wing, and while there, his life took a transformative turn. A chance encounter in his apartment complex stairway led to a lifelong partnership with his soon-to-be wife. On June 18, 1966, he married Dawn Tri at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Red Wing, Minn. They made Bay City, Wis. their home and were blessed with two children, James and Alina.
Frank, a simple man, found joy in the comforts and tranquility of his home. He loved returning to the family farm, riding an International tractor, and tending to the fields. Auctions were another passion, where he enjoyed searching for anything he simply couldn’t live without. The only thing that could divert his attention from the tractor was watching Marshal Dillon in action on an old rerun of Gunsmoke, or Tarzan. Earlier in life, the family created fond memories of fishing for bass and northern pike on Lake Pepin with their children.
He worked at the Red Wing Shoe Company for 43 years and received a certificate for missing only three days in his entire work career. When he wasn’t working at the Shoe, he was doing many odd jobs for people that called on the Party Line or who would call the house because they knew him from previous years. Frank loved to take care of the many people in the Village of Bay City and surrounding area, riding his big John Deere tractor clearing the sidewalks and multiple driveways of snow, including the Post Office.
Frank is survived by his wife Dawn; children James (Teresa) Hince, Alina Hince (Doug Carlson); grandchildren Cassandra, Nathan (Ashley), Miranda, Tristan; step-grandchildren Shawn and Boomer; great-grandchildren Leah, Corey, Aiden, Kalynn, Ella, Landon, Baeley, Harper; siblings Mary Falkofske, Thomas (Linda) Hince; sisters-in-law Janice (Ron) Meyer, Yvonne Hince, Dana Hince; as well as many nieces and nephews. Frank is preceded in death by his parents; siblings Henry, John, Peter, Patrick and brother-in-law Frank Falkofske.
A visitation will be held at O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Ellsworth, Wis., from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, with a Memorial Service to follow at 3 p.m. Burial will be held at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Cremation and memorial services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com.
