Henrietta "Hank" Marie Kolbinger

Henrietta “Hank” Marie (Cich) Kolbinger, age 91, of Mankato, died Sunday, January 10, 2016, at Hillcrest Health Care Center (Monarch Health Care), Mankato.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Mankato. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Echo Food Shelf, Hillcrest activities fund, or the donor’s choice. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Hank was born on January 16, 1924, to William and Mary (Karbowski) Cich in Omaha, Nebraska. She married Ernest “Ernie” Kolbinger on November 19, 1949, in Omaha, Nebraska. Hank worked at the post office and railroad in Omaha. In Mankato she worked at Woolworths. Hank volunteered as a Cub Scout den mother, and enjoyed playing the head witch for 15 years with the Boy Scouts haunted house. She and her husband were long-time members of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Together with her husband, Hank volunteered at the Echo Food Shelf and at SS. Peter and Paul Church. Hank loved to bake, cook, and sew for her family. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing pinochle and bridge, singing, reading, golfing, and dancing. In her younger years, Hank was quite athletic and played basketball and ice hockey, and taught figure skating. Hank was proud of her Polish heritage.

Hank is survived by her children, William (Carol) Kolbinger of Becker, Gregory (Vicki) Kolbinger of Ankeny, IA, Michael (Susan) Kolbinger of Mankato, Patrick (Suzanne) Kolbinger of Buffalo, Beth Ann (Keli) Hippen of Crystal; daughter-in-law, Claire Kolbinger of Hudson, WI; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Hank was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie; son, Henry “Hank” Kolbinger; her parents; and brother.

The family extends its thanks and God’s blessings to the caring and compassionate staff and residents at Hillcrest for their care and friendship during Hank’s last years.