Elaine Eva Grace (Mendenhall) Hink
Elaine Eva Grace (Mendenhall) Hink was born Aug. 3, 1938, to Lyle and Henrietta (Brandt) Mendenhall in Imperial, Nebraska. She was baptized Sept. 11, 1938, and confirmed April 6, 1952, at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial.
She attended Imperial Grade School and graduated valedictorian from Chase County High School in 1956. She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Rush Presbyterian St. Lukes in Chicago where she earned her Registered Nursing degree in 1960. She loved to tell stories about sneaking out of the dorms to go to work at a café where she worked with one of Al Capone’s former gangster– she assured her family and friends he was a great guy and quite the gentleman. In 1992 she graduated with an Associates of Science from McCook Community College alongside her daughter, Davon.
Elaine lost her father at a young age and her mother later married Don Hink. She also loved telling the story of taking her mom and Don out for a dinner of oysters in Chicago, where Don turned green.
Elaine met the love of her life, Leo Hink, at a VFW dance in Holyoke, Colorado. They were married April 14, 1962, at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial. They were blessed with three daughters, Lisa, Davon and Sheri. They taught their daughters to value hard work and showed them love beyond measure. Elaine and her daughter Lisa shared a love for animals. Elaine and her mother shared an amazing bond, which she then replicated with her daughter Davon, they were the best of friends. She also passed her love for helping others to Davon, who followed her footsteps into nursing. Elaine passed her love for education and leadership skills (a.k.a. bossiness) to her youngest daughter, Sheri.
Elaine had a passion for helping others. After college she worked at the Chase County Hospital as a nurse, later she was appointed the Chase County Welfare director, the youngest ever at that time. Many remember her as the administrator at Kinder Care/Heritage of Wauneta in Wauneta. She treasured each of the residents in her care and for each of her employees. She was a woman who knew how to survive in the business world in a time when there were few women in similar positions. She helped pave the way for women today. She was active in the Wauneta Chamber, Champion Junior Women’s Club and often volunteered her time to others.
Even after moving into the nursing home, her helper’s heart continued where she would regularly offer help and advocate for other residents.
After retirement, she worked several odd jobs but primarily devoted herself to her grandchildren, whom she cherished. Her odd lunchtime concoctions will be fondly remembered by all of them who, thanks to her, learned to love their vegetables. She made some of the best meringue out there, too.
Elaine passed away Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at Imperial Manor. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; daughter, Lisa Fuehrer; parents, Lyle Mendenhall and Henrietta (Brandt, Mendenhall) Hink; grandparents, Hans and Johanna (Hesemeyer) Brandt and Ellis and Lydia (Grams) Mendenhall; brothers-in-law, Don Hink, Earnest Hink, Clifford Day, and sisters-in-law Della Ruth Hink and Darlene (Hink) Day; in-laws Ted and Pearl (Lindsey) Hink; and step daughter-in-law, Sonja (Wagner) Brown.
She is survived by her daughters, Davon (Russell) DaMoude of Imperial and Sheri (Bradley) Hink-Wagner of Imperial; grandchildren, Becky (Alex) Robinson of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Trevor Fuehrer (Kailen Provence Duce) of Denver, Colorado; Krista Fuehrer (Josh Martinelli) of Imperial, Makayla DaMoude (Blake Fladgard) of Ogallala, Joel (Jessica) DaMoude of Farnam, Marissa Wagner of Lincoln and Ty, Leo and Lana Hink-Wagner of Imperial; great-grandchildren, Ryleigh Friedman, Leila and Jaxon Robinson of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Trystnn and Maddlynn Fuehrer, Mirra Fuehrer-Martinelli of Imperial and one on the way; as well as many other family members and treasured friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, 10:30 a.m., at the Zion Lutheran Church of Imperial, with Pastor Scott Adle officiating. Interment will follow at the Crete Cemetery, rural Champion, Nebraska.
Visitation was held Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, 2-6 p.m. at the funeral home in Imperial.
A memorial in Elaine’s memory has been suggested to the Champion Junior Women’s Club, or to Donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com.
Liewer Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.