David C. Hintzsche

David Charles Hintzsche, 72, of Lodi, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife and family after a courageous 18-year battle with prostate cancer. Dave was born on April 4, 1954, in Hinckley, Illinois, to Richard and Joan (Lockwood) Hintzsche. 

Growing up on the family farm, he learned the value of hard work early. He was active in 4-H, served as FFA chapter president, and excelled as a basketball player. In 1970, Dave began dating his high school sweetheart, Jeryl Miller. She was his pit crew when he raced “Sod Buster,” his travel partner on adventures near and far, and, in retirement, his companion on countless days boating with family and friends. Together, they raised Brian and Jennifer and loved spoiling their five grandchildren.

Their 50-year marriage was a true partnership, built on laughter, loyalty, shared adventures, and a love that carried them through both joyful and difficult years. Dave was raised in the Hintzsche family business, founded by his father, Richard, and uncle Ken. Working alongside his brothers Ron, Steve, and John, and cousins Roger and Kenn, he learned every part of the agricultural business. As President and CEO for 19 years, he cared deeply for the employees who became like family and the generations of farming families who trusted Hintzsche’s throughout its 52 years of service. Dave believed in doing things the right way, keeping his word, living with integrity, and choosing what was right even when it was difficult. 

He was thoughtful, pragmatic, and observant, with a dry sense of humor that could turn a single word into a family joke for years. A lifelong gearhead, he loved drag racing, restoring cars in his shop, and snowmobiling with his brothers and friends up north. After his cancer diagnosis, Dave began running and completed the Chicago Marathon before turning to cycling. He biked mountains in Hawaii and France well into his late 60s. He did it not for recognition, but for more time with Jeryl, his children, and his grandchildren. Dave showed his love by showing up. He rarely missed a game, concert, celebration, or milestone, usually recording it with his own running commentary. To Reagan, Piper, David, Lois, and Zackary, he was Paw Paw: The man who let them drive the boat, took them tubing and on vacations to see the world, let them change the “curity man’s hat” at the shop, and never said no to a trip to the ice cream shop. His family will miss his dry one-liners, the weather reports no one requested, and the certainty that if something mattered to them, it mattered to him. 

Dave is survived by his wife, Jeryl; children, Brian (Kelly) Hintzsche of Roscoe, Illinois, and Jennifer (Ryan) Westphal of Dixon, Illinois; grandchildren, Reagan, Piper, and David Hintzsche, and Lois and Zackary Westphal; siblings, Linda Allmon, Ron (Candy), Steve (Lori), and John (Kathy) Hintzsche; sister-in-law Jan (Scott) Storey and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great friends. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Zerrell and Florence Lockwood, and Louis and Alberta Hintzsche; his parents, Richard and Joan Hintzsche; his brothers-in-law, Jeffrey Miller and Marvin Allmon; and his niece, Ashley Miller. 

Celebration of life details will be announced at a later date.