Helen "Nina" Hinks

On July 6, 2024, our beloved mother, grandma, and great grandma Helen "Nina" Hinks passed away peacefully and is now in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus. She was 94 years old. Helen was born to Steven and Mary Mirkovich on May 16, 1930, in Duluth, MN. She grew up in Gary and graduated from Morgan Park High School. A few years after high school she caught the eye of Les Hinks and loved to tell the story of how she was smitten because of how he looked in a suit and that he owned a car. The rest was history. They were married on August 23, 1952, and shared 51 years together before his passing. They raised 5 children together in Twig, MN. Helen loved her family deeply and always put them first. She enjoyed the many trips with family in their camper bus up north and into Canada fishing.
Helen and Les moved to Arizona in the early 1980s where she worked in the offices at the two senior living communities where they lived. They loved the friends they made there and looked forward to family visits. They loved to travel and frequently went to one of their favorite destinations, Laughlin, Nevada. They returned home to Twig in 1995 to be closer to their family. She was tough to beat in cribbage and always enjoyed playing cards with her family, especially Nickles and Pass the Ace. She enjoyed her trips to the casino where the horseshoe always seemed to find her. Her selfless nature was evident. She didn't know what it meant to take, only to give. She was known by many loving names by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her kitchen was always open to family and friends, and no one ever left her home hungry. She loved sports and was a true Minnesota fan always cheering on the Twins and Vikings. She enjoyed music, singing and loved listening to family sing and play guitar. She also enjoyed flowers, birds and a good shopping trip. Helen attended Gethsemane Covenant Church in Hermantown. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Les, brothers Mike and Eli, sisters Ann, Cookie, Donnie, Billie and son in law Tim Lettich. 

She is survived by her children Mike (Michelle) Hinks, Pat (Jill) Hinks, Debbie (Glenn) Hansen, Greg (Carrie) Hinks and Teri Lettich; grandchildren Melissa, Destri, Leah, Ashley, Dustin, Jared, Nate, Ryan, Sally, Stacey and Rachel along with 19 great grandchildren and counting. The family is very thankful for the excellent care and compassion provided by the healthcare team at Essentia Health. 

A celebration of life will be held at Gethsemane Covenant Church Saturday August 31,2024. Visitation at 10 and service at 11:00. Lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers family requests donations be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Association. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home. 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805. 218-727-3555.