Deanna Grace (Schaper) Hinz
Deanna Hinz, 86, of Fredericksburg, entered her Heavenly life on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. She was at home with family when she suddenly and peacefully passed, meeting her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face.
Born on February 19, 1937, in Mason City, IA, to Gordon August Schaper and Evelyn Trayer Schaper, Deanna was the older sister of three Schaper brothers, Gary, Ronald, and Donald, who all adored her. She was nurtured in her strong and enduring Christian faith at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. It was also there that she met and fell in love with her future husband, Richard, with whom she shared 60 years of marriage.
Deanna graduated from the Iowa School of Nursing in Des Moines, IA, in 1958. After wedding Richard later that summer, they moved to St. Louis for his final year at Concordia Seminary, then to Heidelberg, Germany for another year of study at Karl Ruprecht Universitat. As the wife of a Lutheran pastor, Deanna served the Lord with Richard where the church’s Divine Calls took them, first to Seaford, DE, next to Towson, MD, and then to Rockville, MD. In these places, Deanna worked in various nursing positions at hospitals, most recently as an EKG nurse for a cardiologist in suburban Washington, D.C.
Upon their move to Northern Virginia in 1980, Deanna used the opportunity to create a new career out of her passion for interior decorating and started her own business called “Classic Impressions.” As a decorator, she worked alongside many people in making their homes warm and beautiful, specialized in staging for real estate sales, and served God in helping her longtime home church, Prince of Peace Lutheran in Springfield, VA, become a brighter and more welcoming space.
In 1997, Deanna and Richard moved to Fredericksburg, VA in preparation for their retirement years, finding a beloved place along Potomac Creek. Deanna continued to do some decorating and gradually turned more of her focus on caring for Richard, who had Parkinson’s disease. Eventually, caring for Richard became her full-time dedication, which she performed faithfully until he passed in 2018.
God’s gain is our loss. Deanna leaves behind her sons, Paul (Sally) of Saginaw, MI, John (Amy) of Fredericksburg, VA, Timothy (Leanne West) of Williamsburg, VA, and Stephen (Elizabeth) of Lexington, KY; grandchildren Christopher Hinz (Erica), Seth Hinz (Rachel), Peter Hinz, James Hinz (fiancée Erin Hudgins), Rachel Cook (Kevin), Dusty Hinz, John Hinz, Jr., Sonya Hinz, Carolyn Hinz, Emily Hinz (fiancé Sam Allegro), Alissa Guadamuz (Madison), Randi Berg, Evelyn Hinz, William Hinz, and Andrew Hinz; great-grandchildren Christianna Hinz, Judah Hinz, Samson Hinz, Evangeline Hinz, and Michael Cook; brothers Gary Schaper (Shirley), Ronald Schaper (Jane), and Donald Schaper (Carla); daughter-in-law Janine Hinz; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family received friends from on Friday, March 17, 2023 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A service “Celebrating Life Now and Forever in Christ” was held on Saturday, March 18 at Redeemer Lutheran Church with Rev. David Miner presiding. A reception followed. A private family interment took place earlier the same morning at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Deanna's statement of Faith- Circa 1957, written at the encouragement of Richard,
she kept it tucked into her pocket-sized Bible for the rest of her earthly life.
"Knowing I am certain of eternal life has made my life so much easier to live. Eery day when you ask Jesus Christ to guide and protect you through all your daily tasks, you are depending on Him and only Him for guidance. This will not take away all trials and troubles, but when they come, you are equipped to handle them. Every day our faith is tried in some fashion or other, but knowing you can always trust in Jesus for he gives us assurance to carry on. When I think the whole world is down on me, I bounce back, knowing I have Him to reassure me.
A Time of Eulogy
Dear Hinz family and friends, thank you for the opportunity and honor to speak here today. It is a blessing too join in this celebration of Deanna-daughter of the King.
As the word went out about Deanna’s death, I received a number of replies and stories. Two words that kept bounding to the top of the email pile were gracious and lady. Everyone said she was such a “gracious lady.”
Lady: courteous, kind, pleasant, refined, and stylish
Gracious: a welcoming host, characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, expansive living, graceful and Grace-filled.
None of that is too surprising when we remember her middle name is Grace. Deanna Grace. From the naming day of her baptism, to a full-life with 3 brothers and 4 sons, she has used that well of grace in all of her relationships. For me-as a mom of 3 daughters, it was hard for me to imagine life with that many guys. Only now, with 10 grandchildren and 8 of them boys does that begin to shed light on how life was arranged for her. She became a home decorator to deal with the marks and wear and tear of “life with boys." But, even that she did with her trademark Classic sense of style. She certainly left an impression with the hundreds of families who fondly recall her help to choose drapes, a sofa, paint colors and flooring. She has marked the halls of my church home at Prince of Peace in Springfield, Virginia with her sense of style. I am reminded of her touch each time I see a print of “3 girls” on our guest room wall. Deanna was a gracious gift to us all- she was generous with her time, energy and laughter.
I heard about Deanna when we were in the chaos of a move from Nebraska to Virginia in 1988. In the rural hinter land they spoke of an East Coast District President’s wife “who led Bible Studies” and encouraged women to serve in capacities that matched their gifts. I was intrigued with this rebel. I remember meeting Deanna as a young pastor’s wife. I was marked by her compassion to me- a frazzled mom with three young girls- just trying to find my way. In the passing of time, I watched how she served and led in her quiet, gentle way. But, her quick wit and no nonsense laugh drew me to her as she dealt with ministry challenges, care-giving and the curves that life threw at her. I saw a determined focus in unswerving dedication with Rich, her dear mate, that I still hold as the standard. The love for her family has shaped my own priorities. I witnessed her encouragement to women- pastor’s wives, ministry wives, and lay women to explore everything in leading and serving on “this side of the fence” on “this side of heaven” that they may be used in God’s great Kingdom- for His Glory.
Her notes and words of encouragement to me personally have shaped how I want to touch the lives of others. When it was time for me to lead as the wife of the Southeastern District President, I remembered her inclusivity for others, her eye for details, and the importance of a beautiful, inviting welcome. Deanna helped me have a heart of prayer for His people, because the burdens are many and heavy. In days to come there will be stories shared of ornery doings at church retreats, a women’s ministry trip to Ireland, lobster races in the kitchen, and plain old family dinners around the round table.
But, at this time of celebration, the distilled faith legacy that she shared was- Deanna loved Jesus. When her “reservation” got moved up, she was waiting to meet her Jesus. And in true, classic Deanna style, she did even that with grace.
This week paging through my Bible, I came across one of the prayer cards sent to Deanna and Rich. It is dated Oct. 2, 2012 with these words shared as a prayer from Eph. 3:20. “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work in us.” That continues now to be my prayer over the entire Hinz family. Even in this, these challenging days of sadness, His abundant power works in each and every one of you. More that you can ask or think. Be blessed in that grace.
Constance Denninger- 3-18-23
Lady: courteous, kind, pleasant, refined, and stylish
Gracious: a welcoming host, characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, expansive living, graceful and Grace-filled.
None of that is too surprising when we remember her middle name is Grace. Deanna Grace. From the naming day of her baptism, to a full-life with 3 brothers and 4 sons, she has used that well of grace in all of her relationships. For me-as a mom of 3 daughters, it was hard for me to imagine life with that many guys. Only now, with 10 grandchildren and 8 of them boys does that begin to shed light on how life was arranged for her. She became a home decorator to deal with the marks and wear and tear of “life with boys." But, even that she did with her trademark Classic sense of style. She certainly left an impression with the hundreds of families who fondly recall her help to choose drapes, a sofa, paint colors and flooring. She has marked the halls of my church home at Prince of Peace in Springfield, Virginia with her sense of style. I am reminded of her touch each time I see a print of “3 girls” on our guest room wall. Deanna was a gracious gift to us all- she was generous with her time, energy and laughter.
I heard about Deanna when we were in the chaos of a move from Nebraska to Virginia in 1988. In the rural hinter land they spoke of an East Coast District President’s wife “who led Bible Studies” and encouraged women to serve in capacities that matched their gifts. I was intrigued with this rebel. I remember meeting Deanna as a young pastor’s wife. I was marked by her compassion to me- a frazzled mom with three young girls- just trying to find my way. In the passing of time, I watched how she served and led in her quiet, gentle way. But, her quick wit and no nonsense laugh drew me to her as she dealt with ministry challenges, care-giving and the curves that life threw at her. I saw a determined focus in unswerving dedication with Rich, her dear mate, that I still hold as the standard. The love for her family has shaped my own priorities. I witnessed her encouragement to women- pastor’s wives, ministry wives, and lay women to explore everything in leading and serving on “this side of the fence” on “this side of heaven” that they may be used in God’s great Kingdom- for His Glory.
Her notes and words of encouragement to me personally have shaped how I want to touch the lives of others. When it was time for me to lead as the wife of the Southeastern District President, I remembered her inclusivity for others, her eye for details, and the importance of a beautiful, inviting welcome. Deanna helped me have a heart of prayer for His people, because the burdens are many and heavy. In days to come there will be stories shared of ornery doings at church retreats, a women’s ministry trip to Ireland, lobster races in the kitchen, and plain old family dinners around the round table.
But, at this time of celebration, the distilled faith legacy that she shared was- Deanna loved Jesus. When her “reservation” got moved up, she was waiting to meet her Jesus. And in true, classic Deanna style, she did even that with grace.
This week paging through my Bible, I came across one of the prayer cards sent to Deanna and Rich. It is dated Oct. 2, 2012 with these words shared as a prayer from Eph. 3:20. “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work in us.” That continues now to be my prayer over the entire Hinz family. Even in this, these challenging days of sadness, His abundant power works in each and every one of you. More that you can ask or think. Be blessed in that grace.
Constance Denninger- 3-18-23
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