Laura Lee Hinen, 65, of Columbia City, died peacefully in the company of her sister at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Miller's at Oak Pointe.

Born on March 14, 1961, at Whitley County Memorial Hospital in Columbia City, Indiana, she was a daughter of Clarence Eugene and Nancy (Hollenbaugh) Hinen.  Growing up in Jefferson Twp., she completed Jefferson Center School and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1979.  She continued her education at Manchester College, earning a Bachelor of Psychology, and later earned a Master of Psychology from St. Francis University in Fort Wayne.

She dedicated more than twenty years to supporting individuals with special needs at Your Friends & Neighbors, Fort Wayne (now Anthony Wayne Services), forming deep bonds as her clients became her family.  After suffering a stroke, she was forced to retire from the meaningful work she cherished.

At home, she enjoyed arranging flowers and doing small crafts.  She collected rubber stamps that would adorn her correspondence.  She delighted in playing BINGO and played whenever possible.

She is survived by her sisters, Carla Hinen of Columbia City and Deanna Dillion of Talking Rock, GA, and a brother, Scott Hinen of Columbia City, as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a stillborn sister, Regina Hinen.

Laura's desire was not to have a public service.

Memorials in Laura's honor are to Final Expenses c/o Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.