Former State Rep. Rosemary Hinkfuss Dies Print
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Written by GBP Staff   
Wednesday, 02 March 2016 14:24

Rosemary HinkfussGREEN BAY - Former State Rep. Rosemary Hinkfuss has died.

Hinkfuss, who would have turned 85 in September, served in the Assembly from 1988-94, representing the 88th District. She also served on the Brown County Board and Green Bay City Council from 1974-92.

Hinkfuss was also the first female member of the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors. She was named to that panel in 1980.

“Everything came my way and I accepted it and worked at it", Rosemary is recently quoted as saying.

Rosemary was born in 1931 in Lima, Ohio. Her mother worked in a woolen mill and her father was a tool and dye maker who quit school in the 4th grade. Rosemary went to college at Cardinal Stritch in Milwaukee. She got a remission on her tuition by teaching 3-4th grade at a Catholic school in Spring Green. “In my first year of teaching Mrs. Frank Lloyd Wright invited me for dinner at Taliesen. Years later as a tourist, I thought it looked just like the night I had supper there.”

Rosemary met her future husband, Bill, when he came to Cardinal Stritch with a delegation from St. Norbert College. They began writing letters and corresponded while Bill was in the Korean War and later in law school. They married in 1957 and came to Green Bay soon after. Rosemary’s involvement in the community got a boost when she was invited to help plan a women’s tea for John F. Kennedy’s visit to Green Bay. “John Kennedy shook the hand of all the committee members and said when he came to me, ‘Thank you, Rosemary, for making this so wonderful.’”

dave-hansen“My wife Jane and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Rosemary Hinkfuss", said State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) in a statement this morning. "Rosemary was, among other things, a progressive person, a pioneer and a proud parent who gave selflessly to her family, friends, community and our state."

Throughout her community involvement and her political career, Rosemary had the opportunity to meet and rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in state and national politics. Yet she remained a humble person. She was revered by her fellow Democrats and respected by all. If you wanted to understand Democratic politics in Green Bay, the one person you needed to talk to was Rosemary.

Her service on the Green Bay City Council and later in the State Assembly provided her with a greater opportunity to be heard, but it was through her relationships with others that she was able to accomplish so much for so many.

“As much as Rosemary’s intelligence, education and energy played a role in her success, it was her concern for others that truly motivated her and set her apart from the crowd", said Hansen.  "Rosemary truly cared for all people and worked tirelessly in support of better treatment of our most vulnerable citizens, better pay and conditions for all workers and their families, and making sure each child got the best education possible so they could fulfill their God-given potential."

“Our hearts go out to Rosemary’s family and friends. Her loss will be felt throughout our community and our state”, Hansen concluded.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Newcomer Funeral Home, but details have not been announced.