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Lewis “Louie” Martin Hintz, age 95, of Omro, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Ascension Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh. Louie was born to Herbert and Maude (Gehrke) Hintz in their home on May 6, 1930, in Oshkosh. When Louie was 4, his family moved to Liberty School Road in the Town of Rushford where he would later establish and operate Lazy Elm Farm with the love of his life, Shirley M. Hotchkiss (married May 27, 1950), with whom he would have seven children. From a young age, farming ran deep through Louie’s veins, and with that deep rooted love, he was able to instill the characteristics of hard work, loyalty, integrity, humility and kindness on to five of his children, whom he loved with all his heart. With that love for farming, and his kind, selfless nature Louie would sacrifice many hours of his own chores, field work, or time with family to travel miles on end to assist other farmers in repairing their John Deere hay balers and sometimes get paid with only a sandwich for lunch and a smile. Louie was awarded the FFA Honorary State Farmer Degree and held the position of Assistant Dairy Superintendent for the Winnebago County Fair for 60 years and within those 60 years was able to support his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren during their time showing dairy. Not many things could bring a smile to his face as much as the love and adoration that was shared between his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and himself. When not farming, Louie loved hunting, fishing and the outdoors, with trout fishing being one of his true passions off the farm, along with being a member of the Omro/Rushford Fire Department since 1962. Louie was the epitome of a God-fearing man, with a firm foundation built on his faith of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was an Elder of Grace Lutheran Church for over 70 years. With that faith in God came a kindness that was second to none. Louie never met a stranger that didn’t become a friend nor ever made an enemy. He was always the first one to offer the shirt off his back to help you wipe the sweat of your brow, or to give you his hat to keep the sun out of your eyes, so in honor of Louie’s memory, let us remember to always be kind, it costs us nothing to be nice.

Louie is survived by his five loving and caring children, Linda (John) Albright of Berlin, Nancy (Tom) Jackson of Omro, Debby (Steve) Loker of Omro, Mark (Kathy) Hintz of Loganville, Paula (Terry) Treu of Berlin; nine grandchildren, Kim (Todd) Reinert of Omro, Chris (Gary) Kinderman of Oshkosh, Lori Jackson of Omro, Greg (Beth) Jackson of Omro, Jody (John) Buttke of Omro, Brian (Michelle) Loker of Omro, Jason Loker of Omro, Emily (Dan) Sleik of Omro, and Josef Treu of Berlin; twelve great-grandchildren, Abigayle and Andrew Reinert, Luke and Levi Jackson, Carson and Alyson Buttke, Bryce and Blake Loker, Emma Loker, Haley, Hattie and Braxton Sleik; and sister-in-law, Andrea Hotchkiss.

Louie was preceded in death by the love of his life, Shirley; children, Jeffrey Hintz and Shelly Hintz; parents, Herbert and Maude; brother and sister-in-law, Merrill and Milene Hintz; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Allen and Edith Hotchkiss; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Patsy and Frank Cummings, Marrietta and Lorenz Scherzer, Richard and Donna Hotchkiss, and Roger Hotchkiss.

A visitation for family and friends will be on Monday, May 26, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church 720 Jackson Ave. Omro. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, May 27 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Mark Wenzel officiating. Burial will follow in the Burdick Cemetery, Town of Rushford.

A memorial in Louie’s name will be established.

Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family. If you wish, please submit online condolences/memories to muellerfh.net.