Marcus Hinrichs, 93

Marcus James Hinrichs, 93, passed away peacefully on Dec. 30, 2025, in Terry. He was born on Feb. 20, 1932, in Roundup. His twin sister, Marlene, arrived soon after but did not survive. He grew up on the family homestead in Delphia with his three older sisters Elsie, Adelaide and Lucille, and two brothers, Richard and Ivan.  

Marcus graduated from high school in Musselshell. At the young age of 18, he became responsible for the family ranch as his father Carl had died unexpectedly from hypertension. This left Marcus and Ivan to run the ranch and care for their mother, who then passed away in 1957.

On June 8, 1958, Marcus married Effie Pearson and they made Delphia their home. Three daughters were born to this union: Jan, Melissa and Jill.

In 1967, a devastating flood from the Musselshell River prompted a move to higher ground. Marcus loved the mountains and had dreams of moving to the Snowies, but instead, they found a beautiful place west of Kalispell called Pleasant Valley. While ranching was full-time, Marcus was hired by the State to become a brand inspector for Flathead County. He continued with this job for forty-eight years. Marcus had a lingering back injury that finally forced him to sell the ranch, so he moved the family to Kalispell.

Marcus stayed active with jobs at Kalispell Feed and Grain, Campfire Memories and Meadow Lake Golf Course. He and Effie were active members of the Eagles in Kalispell and spent many Saturday nights dancing the night away. Effie loved camping and many summers were spent with family on the Upper Thompson Chain of Lakes.

When Effie passed in 2014, Marcus became active in singing and music groups. He played trumpet with the New Horizons band and the Calamity Jane singing group. He also took many woodworking classes and set up a small hobby shop. His love of plants and gardening is legendary as he could either dig it up and plant, or rescue clearance items, and they would grow!

Marcus stayed extremely busy until 2020 when COVID shut down everything … the social butterfly was not happy. His oldest daughter suggested a slower pace, but keeping his independence, and moved him to Fallon. He stayed busy with his woodworking, gardening and taking his beloved dog Lucy for evening drives down quiet country roads. 

A fall in August and then a bout of pneumonia led Marcus to Prairie County Hospital, where he lived for the last four months of his life.

Marcus is survived by his daughters, Jan (Anderson), Melissa (Somerville) and Jill Hinrichs, his granddaughters, Teagan, Trenna, Caitlin (Les Keller) and Gracie, and his beautiful great-grandchildren, Emelyn and Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Dorothy Hinrichs, brothers, Richard and Ivan, sisters, Elsie, Adelaide, Lucille and Marlene, and his beautiful wife, Effie.

A graveside memorial service will be held at noon on June 6 at the Musselshell family cemetery in Musselshell. A luncheon will follow at the Musselshell school. Make sure to bring a favorite picture and a good story.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you plant a fruit tree or perennials in memory of Marcus.