Shirley Hintz

Minot

Shirley Eileen Hintz, 94, Minot and formerly of the Des Lacs/Burlington area died peacefully April 23, 2025 at a Minot hospital.

Shirley was born on March 1, 1931 in Minot to Ward and Clara (McGowen) Dobson. She was raised and educated in the Des Lacs/Burlington area of ND and graduated from Des Lacs High School in 1949.

Shirley continued her education at Minot Business College, graduating in 1951.

For six years, Shirley was employed at the VA Hospital in Minot.

In 1958, she became certified in Orthoptics following completion of educational course work at the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology. From there, she would begin her training in Washington D.C., New York City, Houston, London and Montreal. She subsequently began employment at Minot Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic beginning in 1956.

Shirley married Allen “Al” Hintz on August 29, 1970 in Minot. They made their home in Minot until the Summer of 1972 when they purchased a family farm in the Des Lacs/Burlington area.

Shirley continued her employment as an Orthoptist at the clinic, assisting numerous people with various eye and vision complications, including children with lazy eye.

When she retired in 1989, she focused her energies on farming, alongside Allen. After Allen died on April 29, 1996, Shirley sold the farm and purchased a condo in Minot’s Elk Ridge area where she continued to reside until her recent transition into assisted living.

Shirley was a long-time member of the Des Lacs United Methodist Church and served in various positions with the church board. She was a past member of Zonta International, USO Board, and Befrienders Group. She had also held various positions within the American Association of Certified Orthoptists throughout her life’s journey.

Shirley especially enjoyed tending to livestock and caring for a wide variety of animals, both wild and domestic.

She enjoyed gardening, genealogy, and reading, and was noticeably passionate about her interest in plants and violets.

Shirley is survived by her stepchildren: Mary (Vern) Hintz Maner; Cynthia Hintz Gerke, Dayle (Dutch Von Ehrenfried) Thompson; Steven (Nancy) Thompson; and Sandra Thompson Farrow.

She is also survived by several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, as well as step nieces: Cindy Ruppert and Jonie Johnson and other step nieces and nephews; plus friends special to Shirley: Tim Wood, Steven McCormack and Louise Heidorn.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband, stepson Michael Hintz and stepson Jim (Barb) Thompson, as well as her stepson-in law Donald Gerke.

Celebration of the Life of Shirley Hintz: May 7, 2025 at 11 a.m. in Faith United Methodist Church.

To view a livestream of the service or to share memories and condolences access her obituary at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: May 6, 2025 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the Des Lacs Methodist Church or Faith Methodist Church.

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 3, 2025.