Mary Ann Dinkel, 87, of Hoxie, formerly of Hays, died Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Sheridan County Hospital surrounded by her family and friends.
She was born April 4, 1937 in Hays, the daughter of Walter and Thresia (Koerperich) Porsch of Selden, Kansas. She spent her childhood on the family farm east of Selden and began her formal education in a one-room school near her family farm. Mary Ann graduated from Selden Rural High School and Saint Anthony School of Nursing in Hays. On May 7, 1960, she was united in marriage to Alfred M. “Dink” Dinkel in Selden, and to this union Greg and Anna Marie were born. They were married 43 years before he preceded her in death on September 1, 2003. After graduating from nursing school, Mary Ann worked as a registered nurse in area hospitals, and after her marriage, she began work as an office nurse at the Eddy Clinic and Surgical Associates of Hays, until her retirement in 1999.
Mary Ann enjoyed doing things for and with her family, tending to her vegetables and flowers, and feeding and watching the many birds in her yard. She was a talented seamstress who also enjoyed numerous needle crafts and quilting. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and was an active volunteer at the church with funeral dinners and at the ARC thrift shop.
Survivors include her son Greg Dinkel and wife Deb of Kearney, NE, daughter Anna Marie Johnson of Hoxie, three grandchildren, Jordann Sewell and husband Thomas, Jonathan Johnson and wife Jessica, and Ben Dinkel, three great grandchildren, Wallace and Elowynn Sewell and Parker Johnson, her sister, Ramona Shaw of Jennings, her dear friend and neighbor, Jerry Dreiling of Hays, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers Norbert Porsch and wife Myrna, Donald Porsch, and Francis Porsch and wife Leone, and her brother-in-law, Stanley Shaw.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for the Unify, Beautify, Glorify Campaign, Benedictine Mission House in Schuyler, Nebraska, or to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk. Condolences and memories of Mary Ann may be left for her family at www.haysmemorial.com