Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2025.
John William and Patricia Ann Ryan Freund were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Lorrie Lee, born Jan. 25, 1956, in Minneapolis. She would be the second of four children, joining Linn, Jerry, and Jack.
Lorrie was a happy baby. Yet, her parents knew Lorrie’s life was going to be filled with countless trials and tribulations, for she was born with no arms. Yet, throughout her life this challenge made her stronger, independent, and she never considered herself disabled, according to the obituary at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation.
Patricia took Thalodomide, a drug that was developed in the 1950s. It was used as as a sedative, to treat sleeping problems and anxiety. Its use in pregnant women in 46 countries resulted in the “biggest man‐made medical disaster ever.” More than 10,000 children were born with severe deformities, as well as thousands of miscarriages, according to L. Bren on Feb. 28, 2001, “Frances Oldham Kelsey: FDA Medical Reviewer Leaves Her Mark on History.” FDA Consumer. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A common condition was that hands or feet were directly attached to the body, with all or part of the arm or leg missing. This condition is known as phocomelia.
Thalidomide was introduced in 1956. The German pharmaceutical company Grünenthal marketed it as a medication for anxiety, trouble sleeping, “tension,” and morning sickness. When it was introduced, it had not been tested on pregnant women. At first, people thought it was safe in pregnancy. The first concerns regarding birth defects were noted in 1961, and the drug was removed from the market in Europe that year.
Thalidomide was developed and first released by the German pharmaceutical company Chemie Grünenthal in 1953. The company had started as a soap maker after World War II to address the urgent market need for antibiotics. Chemist Heinrich Mückter, who was a known Nazi war criminal, was appointed to head the discovery program based on his experience researching and producing an anti-typhus vaccine for Nazi Germany, according to Wikipedia.
It is estimated that more than 10,000 people were affected by their mothers using thalidomide during their pregnancy. About 40% of the children died at birth or shortly afterwards. Those who survived had limb, eye, urinary tract, and heart defects.
The severity and location of the deformities depended on how many days into the pregnancy the mother was before beginning treatment; thalidomide taken on the 20th day of pregnancy caused central brain damage, day 21 would damage the eyes, day 22 the ears and face, day 24 the arms (like Lorrie Lee Freund Hinkle), and leg damage would occur if taken up to day 28. Thalidomide did not damage the fetus if taken after 42 days’ gestation.
In 1958, Lorrie’s family moved to Shakopee, where she loved to follow in her dad’s shadow. Lorrie loved to attend and watch his baseball games, follow behind on the golf course and began a lifelong love for sports. Lorrie didn’t have the traditional childhood. She was eventually fitted with artificial arms. Lorrie enjoyed attending camps at the Courage Center, where she never felt judged.
Lorrie attended Marshall High School in Minneapolis (a school for physical needs students) and later graduated in 1975. Lorrie furthered her education at Hennepin Vo-Tech. She took this knowledge and committed the next 42 years as a phone operator for First Bank, now known as US Bank.
Through mutual friends, Lorrie’s life was enriched by meeting Grindle Dean Hinkle, Jr. They were perfect for each other!
On April 30, 1994 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran, Shakopee, Lorrie and Grindle wedded. They each brought special qualities to the marriage, which made it the perfect union. Lorrie and Grindle always surrounded themselves with family, which were priceless moments in their lives. They both shared a love for animals of all sorts; cats, dogs, fish, birds, and especially the love for Griffin, her service dog.
Lorrie lived life to the fullest. She was a true inspiration to those she met, especially people with physical needs. There was nothing Lorrie couldn’t seem to conquer, with the exception of cooking. She was an amazing artist, earned a red belt with a black stripe in karate, and was a meticulous housekeeper. Lorrie loved to attend adult Courage Center camps and even enjoyed playing floor hockey for many years. She loved swimming, reading murder mysteries, and taking walks.
A true heart of gold, Lorrie’s generosity and unconditional love was felt by many. She was a very strong and independent woman, who wanted to make it on her own. She had a great sense of humor and even had a mischievous side to her, especially when it came to her siblings.
The amazing life of Lorrie Freund Hinkle was suddenly and unexpected taken away from her beloved family, from an infection, on Thursday afternoon, April 12, 2018, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee, MN. She was only 62 years old and was a long-time resident of the Shakopee Community.
Pastor Gary Kinkel from St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Shakopee presided, with Lorrie’s nieces and nephews as urn bearers. She was laid to rest by her parents at Pleasant View Memorial Garden in Burnsville.
According to Mark Sebald, “Spent many a day in that home with you guys. Lori was always the spark that lit the fire….. She’ll be missed by all!”