Donald Paul Hinnenthal

Donald Paul Hinnenthal, 94, of the Town of Jacksonport, was called to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, August 23, 2024 while in the comfort of his home.

Donald was born July 8, 1930 in Rumford, ME, the son of Hugo Herman Martin Philip Hinnenthal and Lillian Emma Anna (Nehls) Hinnenthal. Don’s family eventually moved to Appleton, WI. He graduated from Appleton High School in 1948 and went on to study business at Carthage College in Kenosha. In between college semesters, he worked with the United States Forest Service in Idaho. While attending college he met Annelise Dolores Jensen, a foreign exchange student from Denmark. Don graduated with bachelor’s degree from Carthage and then enlisted to serve his country with the United States Army, entering into active service on August 27, 1952. 

He and Annelise were united in marriage on August 16, 1953 at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in Appleton.

Don served in the Army for three years. He was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs CO and ended his army service with the Headquarters of the Fifth Army in Chicago, IL with his primary assignment as a statistician. He was honorably discharged from the Army on August 26, 1955 with the rank of Specialist Second Class and was awarded the National Defense Services Medal.

Don and Annelise then resided in Appleton where they raised their family. He retired as 2nd Vice President from Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent Financial) in Appleton after 34 years. Don served on the board of directors for the Outagamie County Conservation Club and also served as club treasurer. He also served as church treasurer for St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Don and Annelise made many trips back to Denmark to see Annelise’s family. In later years, Don and Annelise went on ten yearly consecutive trips overseas with friends. Most of the trips were to Europe, but some were to places like Australia, New Zealand, and Figi.

Don and Annelise retired to Door County in the 1990s, a place their family has had vacation homes for 100 years.

He was an avid outdoors man who enjoyed deer hunting, partridge hunting, and fishing (in Canada for over 20 years among other places). Don also had a passion for woodworking.

His faith provided a foundation for his life and that of his family’s. Don and Annelise were most recently members of St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay.

They shared over 69 years of marriage. Annelise was called Home to the Lord on December 17, 2022.  

He was also preceded in death by his parents; brother, William (Katherine) Hinnenthal; and sisters-in-law, Joan Hinnenthal and Gudrun (Helmuth) Rasmussen.

Don will be missed by his three children, Glenn (Julie) Hinnenthal of the Town of Jacksonport, Carolyn Hinnenthal of Sturgeon Bay, and Jane (Don) Meger of Ham Lake, MN; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Bryan) Hass, Geoffrey Hinnenthal, and Michael (Nicole) Hinnenthal, Jakob (Rose) Pflederer and Ethan Pflederer, and Gunnar (Stacy) Meger and Erica Meger; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Thomas (Ann) Hinnenthal and Susan (T.J.) Jorgensen; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church, 108 W. Maple Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with Pastor Carl Schroeder officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Don will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery in Appleton beside his wife, Annelise, with military honors by the United States Army and the Hawley-Dieckhoff American Legion Post 33.

Memorials may be given in Don’s name for St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church.

“Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Advocates In-Home Care for the wonderful care you gave to our father.”

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay are assisting the Hinnenthal family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Donald may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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