Jeffery G. Hinkemeyer

On April 26, 2026, Jeffrey G. Hinkemeyer crossed the finish line of life at age 67, after a strong and courageous battle against lung cancer.

Jeff was born on February 17, 1959, in St. Cloud, MN, to Glen & JoAnn (Bauerly) Hinkemeyer.
He grew up in St. Cloud, graduated from Apollo High School in 1977 and later earned his third-year Automotive degree from St. Cloud Technical in 1994. He also served on the Discovery Academy Automotive Advisory Board at the St. Cloud Technical College, helping guide and inspire students entering the automotive field.

Jeff began working alongside his parents at Glen’s Repair at just five years old. In 1996, he & his wife, Kathy, purchased the business and renamed it Glen’s Precision Auto. Jeff became well known for his exceptional skill in fabrication and his ability to solve complex automotive diagnostic challenges. In October of 2024, Jeff & Kathy sold the business, looking forward to travel and spend more time with the grandchildren.

Jeff married Kathleen (Ressemann) Hinkemeyer on February 10, 1979.They met at age 13 and remained best friends throughout their 47 years of marriage. Jeff convinced Kathy that Florida was “a great honeymoon destination”… though it just so happened, the races were there at the same time!

Together, they raised three children: Bradley, Brent & Vicki.

Jeff’s passion for racing began early. He started racing Late Models at the age of 17 in 1976. He had a nickname, “Kid Dirt”. Drving car #13. In 1984, he joined the Salner family, driving car #4F. His racing career was remarkably successful, with over 200 feature wins, 21 track champonships, and races across more than over 40 tracks in 10 states & 2 Canadian Provinces. His longtime friends, Scott Salner & Scott Zenner served as his loyal crew chiefs throughout his career until his retirement in 2011. Jeff was inducted into multiple Halls of Fame, including, Viking, Superior/Gondik, Hibbing & Proctor Speedways. Viking Speedway hosted the Jeff Hinkemeyer Late Model Challenge Series Memorial Race on Saturday May 16, 2026. He often said that the best part of racing was the lifelong friendships he made along the way, and that truth was made clear by the overwhelming show of support at his memorial race. This race will now become an annual event in his honor.

Outside of racing, Jeff enjoyed making memories with the grandchildren, Finley & Murray, who were his greatest pride & joy. He also loved snowmobiling, watching NASCAR, scuba diving, water skiing, boating, camping and traveling.

Jeff is survived by his wife Kathy; his children; Bradley (Stephanie Grisham), Brent (Ashlee Behish), Vicki (John Kelso) Studer; and his grandchildren, Finley & Murray Studer, along with their father Matthew Studer. He is also survived by his parents, Glen & JoAnn Hinkemeyer; his only sibling, sister Kim (Mark) Doman; brother in-law Tom (Suzanne Wortham) Ressemann; many nieces & nephews: Matt (Annie) Doman, Sheena (Justin) Nikolaus, Nikki (Jake) Sweeter, Cami (Trygve Germo) Doman, Matthew & Ryan Ressemann, along with eight beloved great nieces & nephews, other relative

He is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

The Hinkemeyer Family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the nursing staff of the Medical Progressive Unit & Intensive Care Unit at the CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital, as well as the staff at Coborn’s Cancer Center for their compassionate care & support when Jeff needed it most.

If you would like to honor Jeff’s pride & joy, please consider contibuting to Finley & Murray’s 529 education accounts by visiting www.UGIFT529.com and type in Finley’s code: J63R15 and/or Murray’s code:32T796.