Duane E. Hingst

October 9, 1931 - February 13, 2021

Duane Emil Hingst, 89, was called to his heavenly home on February 13, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marjorie (Sandfort) Hingst and his 3 children and their spouses, Deborah and Terry Weinhold, Mark and Susan Hingst, and Dawn and Bob Anderson. His grandchildren, Angela & Bill, Sarah, Rachel, Ben & Heather, Brian & Anna, Rick & Beverly, and Michelle will miss him dearly and Hingst was devoted to them all. He was also the proud great-grandfather of Bailey, Noah, Lilah, Harrison, and Peter.

Hingst was born in the small farming community of Bridgman, Michigan to Emil and Anna (Lindell) Hingst, and it was in that small town just east across Lake Michigan that he first came to love his Chicago Cubs.  Hingst had one sister, Betty (Bob) Dunning, who preceded him in death. He was baptized into the promise of Christ's resurrection and on March 25, 1945 and confirmed his faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church. It was his home pastor who suggested he pursue ministry rather than joining the Navy and encouraged him to attend Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois.

Hingst met the love of his life and future Mrs. Hingst, Marjorie Sandfort of Saint Charles, Missouri at Concordia. Following his graduation in 1953 and their marriage at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Saint Charles, Missouri, Duane accepted his first call to teach in at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Nokomis, Illinois where he taught grades 1-8 in a one-room school, played the organ, directed the choir, and served as youth director. They lived in the teacherage next to the school with a cornfield as their backyard. Hingst was accustomed to this, but his young, big-city bride had a bit of culture shock. Soon they welcomed their daughter Debbie, and two years later a son, Mark.

Hingst accepted a call to serve at Concord Lutheran School in Pagedale, Missouri in 1958.  He enjoyed teaching Grade 8 and coaching the boys basketball team. Duane also served the congregation of Saint Andrews Lutheran Church as Choir Director and Youth Director for many years. But even moving to St. Louis, did not sway him from his beloved Chicago Cubs. The family grew to five when Dawn was born a few years later.

Hingst and Marj enjoyed serving the families of Concord and Saint Andrews for several years. He pursued and received his Master's Degree in Education from Washington University in Saint Louis. He then accepted his next call to serve as Assistant Director of Parish Education and Youth for the Missouri District in 1969.  He eventually moved on to the role of Director of Lutheran Schools in 1981. The first Missouri District Youth Gathering began when he was the Assistant Director.  He enjoyed traveling throughout Missouri mentoring teachers, assisting congregations to build and support Lutheran elementary schools, and fought to protect the rights of all Missourians to choose a parochial education for their children.  He visited every school and teacher in the district. He is fondly remembered by teachers, pastors, and families throughout Missouri and in 1996, after 43 years of service to his church and community, he retired...for a bit.

Hingst never met a stranger and after a few months of retirement he gladly took on the task of evaluating Student Teachers for the University of Missouri-St. Louis and for the Concordia University system. He also joined the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod's ministry to Older Adults and enjoyed working with congregations to develop new programs to engage older adults in new ways. He received the Spiritus Christi award from his alma mater, Concordia University Chicago, in December 2002.

Having never learned to say no, he spent countless hours volunteering at Saint Paul's Church and School in Des Peres, Missouri. And his love of sports and devotion to his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids made Duane and Marj fixtures in the stands at ball fields and in gymnasiums throughout the land and he happily raised his hand to keep score, drive kids to games, coach, and be their #1 fan!  Retirement also brought with it the opportunity to travel and he always had at least one camera ready to take pictures of even the most mundane experience to record for posterity!

This diehard Cubs fan found unexpected happiness in 2016 when the Cubs won the Series! His perseverance was rewarded and he basked in the glow of that victory for years!  Seems fitting that his confirmation verse was Matthew 24:13, 'He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.'

Hingst's most recent years were spent with Marj, enjoying the community at Breeze Park. Nothing gave him more pleasure than being in the middle of the action with all his family around him.

Memorial contribution in Duane Hingst's name may be made to Zion Lutheran Church and School, 3866 South Old Highway 94, Saint Charles, MO 63304 or Lutheran Elementary School Association, 11123 South Towne Square, Suite F, St. Louis, MO 63123.

Service Information
Zion Lutheran Church, 3866 South Old Highway 94, St. Charles, MO

Visitation:

Friday, February 19, 2021 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 20, 2021 – 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Funeral Service:

Saturday, February 20, 2021 – 11:00 am