Jean Louise McClellan Hintz went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to the place He had prepared for her in heaven on April 28th, 2021. She was born in Wolf Point on February 17, 1928. The eldest child of V.O. and Luva McClellan, Jean was lovingly raised on her parents farm near Vida, Montana. She attended Little Creek school near Vida for her elementary years, Circle High School in Circle Montana, and 1 year of college at Northern in Havre Montana.
Jean married her childhood sweetheart Leland Hintz of Vida in 1948. Together they continued the farming legacy set forth by their parents, and began raising crops as well as six children and making a happy home. Jean loved her home and the farm that she and Leland tended together. Her children were the center of her life and she made each one feel loved and secure. Summers on the Hintz farm often involved dawn to past dark work. For Jean that included cooking meals for her family, but also hired hands as well as neighbors who were helping with harvest or whatever work was being done at the time. She also excelled at sewing and gardening and all of the other skills required of a farm wife and mother. (Butchering chickens, warming newborn baby calves in the kitchen, canning many quarts of garden produce and jelly, doctoring cuts and scrapes, and the occasional ill child to name just a few.)
Quiet and unassuming, Jean never had an unkind word for anyone and always was able to see the positives in all people. She was content and cheerful even after having to move from her beloved home into the nursing home in 2015 at age 87. She was beauty and grace and kindness and made the world a better place.
Jean was a pianist and played piano regularly for church services, weddings and other gatherings. She loved to play for her own enjoyment at home and the sound of her playing is a memory all of her children and some of her grand children and great grand children will treasure. Even after dementia had stolen many of her memories, she still could play piano at age 91.
She was an attentive, proud and doting grandmother to 16 grandchildren. Jean had a special bond with her granddaughter Lauren. Together they spent many hours in deep conversation of years gone by, present and future events. She also had a closeness with Rie Nakamura who was like a granddaughter to her.
Jean’s love for the Lord Jesus Christ permeated every aspect of her life. She established a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ as a child and continued serving God through daily Bible reading, prayer and regularly attending church and Bible studies. Because she knew the importance of having this relationship with God she encouraged everyone she knew to accept Christ as their Savior and follow Him. Now Jean is experiencing life in heaven, has come face to face with her Savior and is having a happy reunion with loved ones gone on before and so much more we can’t even imagine.
“The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die.” (John 11:25-26).
Jean is predeceased by her husband Leland, her parents, her younger sister Lydia Underwood and her younger brothers Samuel McClellan and Albert “Buck” McClellan. She is survived by her sons Brent (Lorene), Buzz (Leslie), Ross (Laurel), Jeff (Cathy), and Roger (Sandie) and by a daughter LeeAnn (Richard) as well as 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His faithful servants. (Psalm 116:15)
A graveside service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at the Vida Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at the Gospel Fellowship Church in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences for the family can be left by using the form below.
Jean Archdale says
To the Hintz family,
What a beautiful memorial written for your precious mom and oh so true. Jean was one of the most loving people that I was blessed to know and love. Your mom and dad were so kind and caring to my family over the years and i will never forget that. When our dad passed away and my mom called your mom to see if she could maybe help with the lunch and to no surprise my mom didn’t even get the question asked before Jean told mom not to worry about anything and it was taken care of. Our oldest daughter loved to go spend time with the Hintz’s, they welcomed her with open and loving arms. Her love for our Lord was shown everyday and I know your dad was waiting at Heavens gate for her. I know my mom was happy to see her to. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, it doesnt matter the age when we say goodbye because she is your mom and you will miss her.
With love
Jeannie Archdale
Bonnie Reddig says
To all you my relations in Christ..Jean was like a Mom to us. She was so inclusive of all people. Brent, Duane, Ross, Jeff, Roger and LeeAnn; your Mother had a lasting impact on our lives. We loved her as our own, (and she loved us back) and pray for you at your loss and heaven’s gain. Praise the Lord! Jean is home with Jesus, your Dad and her family in heaven. Our love and prayers,
Bonnie and Marlin
Jeanette Loucks says
I remember Jean very well even tho I haven’t seen her for many years. She was a leader in some “young adult programs” & she made me feel very welcome. I’m so sorry for the families loss of a great Mom & Grandmother. She was everything the obituary says she was & alot more. Peace be with you all.
Steve Trimble says
It was an honor and privilege to take care of Jean. She brightened the dining room when she played the piano. Even when she stopped talking, she still was a shining light for Christ to her fellow residents and the staff.
Steve T. RN
Steve an PK Bushman says
What a wonderful woman. A shining example of Jesus. I’m sorry for your loss but oh to know where she is now. May Christ hold you in his arms. Until we meet again!!!!
Laurie Suppes says
Hints Family
Prayers as you grieve. Remember: “Though gone from our sight, loved ones are never gone from our hearts. “
Mary Dillon says
My sincerest sympathy to all jeans family. May God comfort you It is comforting knowing we will see our loved ones again. Jean was a sweet lady— her and Lee were good neighbors.
I will have your family in prayer. Mary Dillon
Marilynn Johnson says
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts n prayers are with you all. I meet Jean when I first started doing volunteer work at the nursing home as a hairdresser n she was always there too. I believe her Mom was a resident at the time. We got to know each other well. She always had a heart of gold n I loved visiting with her. After she entered the nursing home she was always upbeat n smiling when I did her hair. I’m sure she was welcomed in Heaven with open arms.
Maxine Melton says
It is hard to say good bye to your mother and I am sorry you must, but oh the joy for her. Jean was a lovely, lovely person and set the bar high for the rest of us. I think she was very like her mother, my Aunt Luva. Her obituary showed her to be a Proverbs 31 woman, an excellent example for the rest of us. God bless her memory and you her family as you carry on without her. Maxine Wambach Melton
Troy McClellan says
Indeed … “She was beauty and grace and kindness and made the world a better place.”
Rest in Peace, Jean.
Then Almitra spoke, saying, We would ask now of Death.
And he said,
You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the King whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the King?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
Kahlil Gibran.
Janet and Vic Shefelbine says
Jean was a true lady, beautiful, kind, sweet and soft spoken. You could feel her gentleness when you were near her. She had such a warm smile. She was so nice but she must have been tough to have survived all the hard times that women of her generation endured. Even as she aged, she was kind to the core. I am so sorry hear that she passed away but I know her goodness was passed down to her wonderful family.
Melvin Clark says
Condolences to Hintz Family. Leland and Jean were so kind and always made me feel welcome. I still remember how nice of a lady your Mother was. Prayers for the Family.
Tim n Traci Glyshaw says
From the Glyshaw’s condolences, my mind is flooded with so many memories it’s hard to pick out one !! To all the times we as families were together some of the most special were times around a dinner table we all talking at once laughing or the many funerals we attended of our family and friends together now it was time for Jean to Reunite with all of those ! I know my Mom Luella went just before you and to think of the Great Joy they have now reunited with the loves of their lives and husbands ! All the Bible studies we had and the singing ! It was looking back such a precious and loving time we all spent together! See you someday again Leland and Jean .
Jennifer Birdsbill says
Aunt Jean. She once told me I am light. To shine. That the Lord loves me and I am part of his chosen.
I am who I am because of her and my grandma’s love. Everything I am, all my choices, all my fighting to succeed, it is because of these women.
The greatest memories are playing with my cousins B & L. Riding combine with Uncle Lee. Seeing Brent, Jeff, Ross, Richard, LeeAnn always be there. You gave me Christian morals and a strong foundation. Though my road was tough, Aunt Jean ensured I had love.
Through Christ, I know love. Through Aunt Jean, I know Christianity. I love you.