Former Inter Lake journalist Lynnette Hintze remembered for commitment to telling community’s stories

On more than one occasion, journalist Lynnette Hintze took notes by flashlight from a windowless newsroom at the Daily Inter Lake.  

It’s the kind of tenacity the newspaper’s former news editor was known for in the quest to report stories by deadline. Hintze, who was also a wife, mother and community volunteer, died March 17 at the age of 68.   

While undergoing treatment for leukemia in Texas, Hintze died from complications of a bone marrow transplant. 

Described by her former colleagues as the “heart and pulse of the reporting staff,” Hintze worked for 26 years at the Inter Lake retiring in 2021 as part of a 47-year career in journalism.  

The Inter Lake’s former Assistant Managing Editor Scott Crandell worked with Hintze for two decades when she was the features editor.  

“Lynnette was the consummate community journalist who could tell any story with flair and could alternately bring you to tears or make you laugh,” he said. “Her feature writing was legendary, and she had an uncanny ability to find unique story ideas.” 

Crandell recalled her “indomitable Minnesota farm-girl work ethic.” 

“She often worked late — after all the younger staffers had gone home — because she always wanted to get the job done,” he said.  

A journalism career that began with a summer job at the Hawley Herald after her high school graduation, Hintze earned a journalism degree at Moorhead State University before working at newspapers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Eastern Montana.  

She and her husband Tim moved to Whitefish in 1991. She spent time at the Hungry Horse News and served a stint as editor of the Whitefish Pilot. Joining the Inter Lake in 1995, she served as reporter, features editor and news editor.  

Known by readers for her popular “As I see it” column, Hintze garnered numerous Montana Newspaper Association accolades over the years as she relayed many personal stories including about her upbringing in rural Minnesota.  

Hintze took an even-handed approach to community journalism that set her apart and earned the Flathead Valley’s trust, and it was her ability to connect with the people she was writing about that put thank you notes on her desk.  

Notably, Hintze led the Inter Lake’s coverage of the Libby asbestos health crisis, breaking the news story ahead of national media outlets. It was an issue she would continue to cover for 20-plus years.  

Describing her as the hero of the newsroom, Carol Marino, retired community editor for the Inter Lake, said Hintze was a brilliant writer and consummate editor.  

“She mentored and inspired countless young journalists with wisdom and grace,” Marino said. “Her superpower was grace under pressure and meeting unforgiving deadlines.” 

Beyond her career, Hintze was a devoted member of the community, volunteering for Soroptimist International of Whitefish and Meals on Wheels. Even while undergoing treatment in Texas, she sent fabric squares home to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls to be fashioned into quilts.  

Friends for more than 20 years, Annie McLaughlin and Hintze joined Soroptimists at the same time and formed a connection after learning they had grown up 45 minutes from each other. They would often take Saturday morning walks together to “figure out the world.”  

“She was very loyal and trustworthy, and funny,” McLaughlin said. “You could always count on her — she was giving and generous.”  

Fellow Soroptimist volunteer Diane Yarus said Hintze was the one the group leaned on for the proper procedures. Hintze worked alongside other volunteers to open the Whitefish Thrift Haus, which has become the nonprofit’s biggest fundraising endeavor in its mission to transform the lives of women and girls through education and empowerment opportunities.  

“She took on leadership roles. She was a gentle and good leader who was careful to make sure we did things correctly,” Yarus said. “She believed in our mission.”  

She was also a founding board member of the Whitefish Community Foundation, serving from 2000-2006.

Hintze was married to her husband for 42 years. Together they have two daughters, Heather and Deanna, and two grandchildren. 

A musician, she played the flute, was a member of the Alpine Ringers handbell choir and sang in her church choir. She hosted parties making intricately hand-painted Ukranian Easter eggs. A wonderful cook, she and her husband provided food for their daughters’ weddings, and she was known for making lefse, a soft Norwegian flatbread made with potatoes, butter, flour and cream. 

Recalling her commitment as a journalist, former Inter Lake Managing Editor Frank Miele said Hintze would do anything asked of her in the newsroom.   

“From Whitefish reporting to county reporting to column writing to feature writing to page design to story editing — if you wanted it done right and you needed it today, you asked Lynnette,” he said. “She was as hard as nails, and as soft as silk. She cared about the stories she wrote because she cared about the people behind them." 

When Hintze penned her farewell column ahead of her retirement, she estimated she had written 17 million words over the course of her career. Recalling the lighted hearted stories, but also the ones that left her shedding tears in her car following the interview, Hintze said it had been her privilege to share the stories of the community over the years.  

“As community journalists, we give ourselves over to those we serve,” she wrote. “After a four-hour City Council meeting, we still have to write the story about it. It’s our job to inform our readers accurately and objectively, all the while with deadline pressure hanging over us. The importance of community journalism has never been lost on me.” 

A service for Hintze will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls on Monday, March 24 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, people are asked to consider a donation to Wings Regional Cancer Support. 

Deputy Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com.

    Lynnette Hintze early in her journalism career. (Photo provided)
  

    Lynnette Hintze with the Alpine Ringers handbell choir. (Photo provided)
  

    Lynnette Hintze, center, with her husband, daughters and grandchildren. (Photo provided)
  

    Lynnette Hintze helps make lefse. (Photo provided)