Dale Hochstetler
Obituary
Dale Eli Hochstetler, 92, passed away
on Saturday (March 17, 2018) in Hesston at Schowalter Villa from
complications of kidney failure. He was born near Frytown, Iowa, on
Aug. 18, 1925, to Earl and Mary (Krabill) Hochstetler.
Dale was proud to work with farmers and
listed his occupation as Feed Mill and Elevator Operator. He owned
and operated H&H Feeds in Wellman, Iowa, Hesston Mill &
Elevator, Hesston and Newton Elevator, North Newton. He was an
International Executive Consultant to a poultry operation in Quito,
Ecuador, and worked for Mennonite Economic Development Association as
a small business consultant and loan officer in Zaire and Jamaica.
Additionally, he worked with the K-State Facts program assisting
farmers in financial crisis, and in later years was a Real Estate
Broker in Newton, Hesston and Greeley, Colorado.
Dale was a charter member and officer
of the Hesston Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Harvey County
planning board and the Hesston City Council. He was a member of
Hesston Mennonite Church and had been a member of the board of
elders.
Dale enjoyed nature, plants, animals
and birds. One of his joys in life was birds and he loved to have
chickens when he could. He walked, hiked and biked for pleasure. He
enjoyed farming and working with farmers. He loved family genealogy
and enjoyed sharing about his family history, which included his
ancestor, Jacob, who came to America in 1738. He was an avid
University of Kansas college basketball fan. The last few decades of
his life he enjoyed owning a half-section of farmland in Marion
County. It was a joy for him and Lucile to be able to contribute a
leading gift to the Schowalter Villa building campaign for their
current building expansion project.
His travels included Kenya, Ecuador,
Egypt, Israel, Jamaica, Greece, England, Zaire, France, Switzerland,
Austria, Belgium and Germany. He studied French in preparation for
his work in Zaire.
Dale is survived by his wife, Lucile
(Conrad); sons, Thomas (Katy) of Estes Park, Colorado, and Jay
(Kelley) of Marion, Indiana; grandchildren: Matthew (Jillian), Adam
(Adrianna), Susie (Chad Pruett) Hochstetler, Hannah (Justin) Brenig
and Jacob (Katy) Hochstetler; and sisters, Arlene (John) Miller and
Mary (Keith) Brenneman. He also had four great-grandchildren: Andrew,
Tobias, Isaac and Allyson.
He was preceded in death by his
daughter, Deanne Losey; son, Jerome; and his brothers, Don (Marvel),
Orlin (Lores) and Roger (Glennis).
Services will be held at 11 a.m.
Saturday (March 24, 2018) at Hesston Mennonite Church. Visitation
will be immediately prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Mennonite Economic Development Association or to Mennonite Mission
Network, in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston.