Gwendolyn F. Hinecker
When Gwendolyn F. Hinecker passed away Aug. 9, 2012, at the age of 101, she left the bulk of her estate – worth an estimated $1.5 million – to the Gwendolyn F. and Lucian L. Hinecker Scholarship Trust. The income from this charitable trust will provide scholarships to Marshalltown High School Students forever.
“We are so grateful to Mrs. Hinecker for her generosity and amazing gift to Marshalltown High School,” said Aiddy Phomvisay, MHS principal. “Her legacy as a teacher and MHS Bobcat supporter will live on forever through her scholarship.”
Mrs. Hinecker was born May 10, 1911, in Collins, Iowa. She was raised in the Collins area graduating from Collins High School and then Drake University. Gwendolyn was united in marriage to Lucian Hinecker on April 12, 1936, in Marshalltown. She spent 26 of her 32 years in education teaching students in Marshalltown Community Schools at Woodbury Elementary.
“She was a delightful lady and was such a caring teacher,” said Marilyn Rhodes, long-time administrative assistant for the district superintendent. “She was welcoming and had a great sense of humor.”
Mrs. Hinecker directed that scholarship recipients be chosen based on scholarship, leadership, service to school and community and financial need, with special consideration for applicants attending Drake University. Applicants must be an MHS senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA and entering an accredited college or technical school after graduation.
“I had the privilege of working with Gwen for more than 25 years,” said Mike Bloom, Senior Vice President and Senior Trust Officer at United Bank & Trust. “It has been rewarding to see her philanthropic goals come to fruition with this scholarship trust. We estimate almost $45,000 per year will be granted in this scholarship and we hope this amount will grow over the years. Gwen was able to attend college at a time when few women went to college. She wanted to help others to get the same opportunity she was given.”
A scholarship committee comprised of the high school principals, guidance counselors and faculty members will choose recipients. United Bank & Trust in Marshalltown will serve as trustee of the Scholarship Trust to manage all assets.
“Her spirit of giving, serving and supporting our students in this manner is the finest example of altruist citizenship,” Phomvisay said. “Future MHS graduates who will benefit from this scholarship should be inspired by her example.”
