'Progressive, pioneer' Rosemary Hinkfuss dies
Former Green Bay city council member, Brown County supervisor and state Assemblywoman, for years the local face of the Democratic Party, fought on behalf of workers, children, better pay
- Hinkfuss worked as a schoolteacher after college, but her interest in politics was evident early
- Brown County Democratic Party honored Hinkfuss in 2014 with their Lifetime Achievement Award
When it came to serving her community, Rosemary Hinkfuss "had fire in her heart."
The former Green Bay City Council member, Brown County supervisor and state Assemblywoman died Wednesday. She was 84.
For years, she was the face of the Democratic Party in Brown County, giving of her time, money and heart in support of various causes, friends and former colleagues said.
"She cared for the conditions of workers. She cared for children and their education," said Rich Langan, the organization's vice chairman. "She cared about the cause of better pay."
Hinkfuss worked as a schoolteacher after graduating from college in 1954. But her interest in politics was evident early.
She supported the presidential campaign of then-Sen. John F. Kennedy, and later worked on behalf of Patrick Lucey when he ran successfully for governor of Wisconsin, said Mary Ginnebaugh, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Brown County.
Ginnebaugh also remembered Hinkfuss as a tremendous bridge player who readily opened her home on South Monroe Street for party functions.
Hinkfuss was born Sept. 30, 1931, in Lima, Ohio. She graduated from St. John's High School in that city before earning a bachelor's degree in 1954 from Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee. Hinkfuss and her husband, William, had six children. They lost their youngest child, Christopher, to a heart attack this year.
Hinkfuss held city and county office from 1974 to 1982, then was elected to the Assembly in 1988 and served three terms. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Green Bay Packers from 1980 to 2001.
“Rosemary had the opportunity to meet and rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in state and national politics. … If you wanted to understand Democratic politics in Green Bay, the one person you needed to talk to was Rosemary," recalled state Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay. "Yet she remained a humble person."
He remembered Hinkfuss as "a progressive person, a pioneer and a proud parent who gave selflessly to family, friends, community and our state … it was her concern for others that truly motivated her and set her apart from the crowd."
In 2014, the Brown County Democrats honored Hinkfuss with their Lifetime Achievement Award.
The reason, Ginnebaugh said, was obvious to all who knew her.
"She had fire in her heart," Ginnebaugh said. "She understood what it took to win elections.
"She was very open, very frank, thoughtful and wise."
dschneid@greenbaypressgazette.com and follow him on Twitter @PGDougSchneider
Calling hours
Friends and relatives may call from 3 to 6:45 p.m. Sunday at Newcomer Funeral Home, 340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay, where a prayer service will be at 7 p.m.. Visitation will continue from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at St. Mary of the Angels, 645 S. Irwin St., Green Bay. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m.