Eugene HinrichEugene (Gene) Hinrich passed away on July 4th, 2026, peacefully in his sleep at the age of 81 after receiving a lung cancer diagnosis a year prior. Later that year a friend of Gene’s introduced a pen pal to him, Shirley Rall, of Hamilton, MT. On June 30th, 2026, Gene’s wife, Shirley passed away unexpectedly at Bitterroot Health and within a few days Gene passed away, it is believed to be of a broken heart. Shirley LaVonne HinrichShirley LaVonne (Rall) Hinrich passed away unexpectedly with family by her side on June 30th, 2026, at Bitterroot Health. Shirley requested for there not to be a service and the family will spread Shirley and Gene’s ashes together at a later date.