Cyle Hinze

WATERTOWN - Cyle Hinze was born on May 21, 1917, the middle of five sons born to Edward and Frances Robb Hinze. For most of the next 85 years he would remain on the family farm that his grandfather Ferdinand homesteaded in 1885. During the 30’s he went to Los Angeles, California to work, coming home in the summers to help his father with the farming operation. Being a very patriotic man he enlisted in the U.S Army on October 22, 1941. After ten assignments he was honorable discharged in October 1945 having obtained the rank of first sergeant. On May 21, 1944 Cyle married Dorothy Thomas in Los Angeles, California. They soon returned to the family farm in Day County where they lived until 2002. To this marriage, one daughter, Marlene was born. In 1985 the State of South Dakota recognized the Hinze family farm as a Century Farm. Cyle always took great pride in his picturesque farm with all white buildings. He was especially fond of caring for his animals, especially horses. He raise many Percheron colts, each one being his favorite. In October 2002 Cyle and Dorothy moved to Stoneybrook Suites in Watertown where he would live for the next seven years. He would always refer to Stoneybrook as “the next best place to home.” Cyle was devoted to his wife Dorothy for sixty four years and sat by her bedside for five years until her death February 4, 2009. He was an extraordinary husband and father. Always a lover of people and having fun, Cyle and Dorothy square danced, ballroom danced and hosted many card parties. After they retired, they left the cold winters for Arizona or to spend time with their daughter in San Antonio. Cyle will be deeply missed by his daughter Marlene Stadler of Watertown and their friend Robert Batilla, also of Waterown. Cyle passed away February 14, 2010. A family celebration of his life will take place in the spring at the Webster Cemetery. Fiksdal Funeral Service of Webster is in charge of arrangements. Fiksdalfuneral.com.