Duanne Lee Hinrichs Sr.

Duanne Lee Hinrichs Sr. of Montesano, passed away on June 15, 2022. He was 77 years old.

Duanne Lee Hinrichs Sr. of Montesano, passed away on June 15, 2022. He was 77 years old.

Duanne was born in Aberdeen, Washington on May 13, 1945, to Bill and Alice Hinrichs. He was raised in Aberdeen and graduated from Weatherwax High School. Duanne served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1967. Once Duanne returned to American soil, he went to work at the Weyerhaeuser Pulp Mill in Cosmopolis and retired after 35 years.

Duanne learned at a young age about painting bridges, water towers and flagpoles by his father, Bill, who would take him and his brother on several jobs to learn the flagpole painting business. Using a homemade bosun chair made from just a board, rope and a foot strap with duct tape, Duanne would shimmy up the flagpole, sanding it on the way to the top. Once he got to the top, he would paint the ball a shimmery gold, wave to onlookers and continue down the pole, painting it as he went. He loved painting flagpoles as it was his way to show honor and respect for our country. Duanne would travel throughout the United States taking his children and grandchildren on many occasions to paint flagpoles at schools, courthouses and cemeteries, just to name a few.

Duanne enjoyed camping trips (that at times resulted in food fights with spaghetti), classic car shows, dancing, traveling, hunting and, on occasion, fishing.

Duanne is survived by his wife, Marlene (Brumfield) Hinrichs, at their family home; children, Monica (Toby) Simpson, Duanne Hinrichs Jr. and Heather Hinrichs; grandsons, Tahyn Hinrichs and Cole Hinrichs; two great-grandchildren, Cooper and Madilyn Hinrichs and siblings: Warren Hinrichs, Yvonne (Curly) Nesvog, Ramona (Monie) DeLibero and Karen Norquist. He is preceded in death by both of his parents.

A celebration of life will be held in Montesano at the VFW Park, 128 WA-107, Montesano, WA 98563, on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 1 p.m. with the Honor Guard in attendance at 1:30 p.m.

To share memories or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com.

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary in Aberdeen, Washington.