Luverne Hinnenkamp

Luverne B. Hinnenkamp, age 91 of Melrose, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Friday, January 10, 2025 at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 16 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating. A private inurnment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Melrose at a later date.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church.

Luverne Bernard Hinnenkamp was born March 12, 1933 in Greenwald, Minnesota to Joseph and Elizabeth (Dickhaus) Hinnenkamp. He was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Verbeke on September 2, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. 

Luverne moved to his farm in Melrose when he was 11 years old. This is where he developed a deep love for farming. As a farmer, he spent countless hours working the fields, always willing to lend a hand to family, neighbors and friends. He was especially known for his expertise in silo filling, a task he took great pride in, ensuring his crops and others were harvested and stored with care.

In addition to his work on the farm, Verne cherished his time spent with family and friends. He was a regular at a local bowling alley, where his competitive spirit and easygoing nature made him a beloved teammate. Playing cards was a favorite pastime, and he was always up for a friendly game, full of laughter and light-hearted banter.

Traveling by RV with Jeanie was one of the joys in his later years. These trips brought him great happiness. His adventurous spirit and appreciation for the simple pleasures of life will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Luverne leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and hard work. He touched the lives of many with his selflessness and warm heart, and his memory will continue to live on in the stories we share and the lessons he imparted.

Luverne was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Catholic United Financial. 

Survivors include his children, Kenneth (Lynnell) Hinnenkamp of Albany and Christa Elizabeth (Hinnenkamp) of Phoenix, Arizona; significant other, Brenda Denn of Melrose; eight grandchildren, Corey, Brayden, and Riley Hinnenkamp, Jena Willenbring, Mitchel, Chantel, Caihley, and Chabree Heinen; great-grandchildren, Myles, Noah, Owen, and Roman; sisters-in-law, Marcella Hinnenkamp of Melrose and Rosie Hinnenkamp of Melrose; and many nieces and nephews.

Luverne was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean Hinnenkamp on July 9, 2014; parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Hinnenkamp; sisters and brothers, Celestine “Sally” Hinnenkamp, Alfred Hinnenkamp, Elmer Hinnenkamp, and Viola Frieler; and brother-in-law, Lawrence Frieler.