Etta Hinkel, age 86, of Farmington, MN, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026. She was born in Prentice, WI, to Peter and Alta Pearson, the youngest of five children. She spent her early years in Prentice before moving to White Bear, MN as a teenager, and later to Minneapolis, where she met and married the love of her life, James Hinkel, on April 20, 1960. They eventually made their home in Farmington, where Etta spent many years and later retired.

Etta was a dedicated and hardworking woman throughout her life. She began working at the age of 16 for Pearson Candy Company and went on to hold a variety of roles over the years, including waitress, receiving clerk, and office cleaner. She eventually retired as a production worker, though her retirement was short-lived, as she soon returned to work, always valuing staying active and connected.

Etta was known for her warm and outgoing personality. She was truly a people person who never hesitated to strike up a conversation and made everyone feel welcome. She loved visiting with others, often over a cup of coffee, and enjoyed spending her time relaxing and watching TV. She had a special way of making people feel seen and valued. She carried that love through her roles as a devoted wife and a caring mother to her two sons, Ken and Tom. Her greatest joy in life came when she became a grandmother, a role she cherished deeply. Etta attended a Baptist church in her youth and was baptized at the age of 75, a meaningful milestone in her life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 38 years, James Hinkel; her parents, Peter and Alta Pearson; her brothers, Tom, Richard, and Peter; and her sister, Anna.

Etta is lovingly remembered by her sons, Ken and Tom Hinkel; her grandchildren, Ryan (Penny), Malachi, and Matthew (Kimberly) Hinkel; and her great-grandchildren, Lyllian, Christian, Jayla, Peyton, and Harrison. She is also survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Etta's kindness, strength, and genuine love for others will be deeply missed, but her legacy will live on in the lives she touched and the family she cherished so deeply.