Eldon Hintz

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.” 1 Timothy 6:12 

Eldon Harold Hintz, Hannover, God’s faithful servant, was born on August 23, 1943, to Herman and Ella (Henke) Hintz. He was called as a child of God through the waters of Holy Baptism on September 19, 1943, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Hannover, ND, with a promise of eternal life waiting for him. God fulfilled that promise 81 years later, on September 24, 2024.

Funeral Service will be Saturday, September 28th at 10:00 AM at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Hannover, with the Rev. Zelwyn Heide officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 6:00-7:00 PM with a family service at 7:00 PM on Friday, September 27. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral.

Eldon, the youngest of five children, was raised and lived on the family farm southeast of Hannover his entire life.

He was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where he confirmed his faith on April 14, 1957. He attended the Lutheran parochial school and graduated from Center High School in 1961.

At a wedding in November 1966, he met his lifelong dance partner, Judy Richter. They were joined in marriage on May 31, 1968, at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hazen. To watch their unity on the dance floor and in life was a true blessing to witness.

Eldon was a steward of the land and livestock that God entrusted to his care. His calm demeanor and strong faith would sustain him through the ups and downs of farming. He and his wife were respected dairy farmers for nearly 50 years. He retired from the dairy business in 2015 at which time he focused his efforts on working side by side with his son raising a beef herd and farming the land. When asked when he would truly retire, his response was “if retirement is doing something you love, then I am retired.” He worked every day until his health would not allow. Nothing gave him more pride than to pass his legacy to his son and now grandsons.

Eldon had a strong relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was a servant to His church. He served about every office of St. Peter’s but most notably as an elder of the congregation for many years and lending his beautiful tenor voice to the church choir for over 50 years. He took his responsibility as a Christian father very seriously. He passed his faith on to his children and grandchildren by word and example. His family will miss his leadership in prayer at our family gatherings and holidays.

Eldon is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy, his son Aaron (Jodi) Hintz, Hannover, daughters Tania (Wade) Tschaekofske, and Melody (Travis) Rau, both of Bismarck, grandchildren Faith and Hannah Gerving, Abby (Garrett) Mosbrucker, Teanna, Rylee, Kelan, Briella, Ryker and Bobby Hintz, Noah and Isaiah Rau, Tricia and Braden Tschaekofske, and a great-grandson due in November, his sisters Carol (Bob) Pouti and Arlene (Ron) Varville, sisters-in-laws Peggy (Barry) Voeltz, Karin Richter and Lilly Hintz and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Harlan Hintz and Wayne Hintz, brother-in-law John Richter, nephews Murray Hintz, Jeffrey Hintz, Mickey Hintz, Zachary Voeltz and niece Amy Richter.

The family is extremely grateful for the care he received from the Sanford Oncology and Bismarck Cancer Center staff throughout his two-year cancer journey and for his end-of-life care provided by Elm Crest Manor, CHI Hospice, and Pastor Zelwyn Heide as well as the love and support from friends and family throughout this time especially Karin Richter and Peggy Voeltz. 

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. " Psalm 73:26