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Obituary for Ben R. Hochstetler
Ben Hochstetler, 91, of Hayward and Luck, WI passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at Regions Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Ben was born March 12, 1925 in Athens, WI to Elmer and Esther Hochstetler. He graduated from high school in Mellen, WI. Ben then attended UW-Madison. To work his way through school, he worked at the Bulletin Press for $.50 an hour and ushered at Badger football, basketball and hockey games. In 1944, Ben enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he completed his basic training at the Marine Corps Base Camp in Camp Pendleton, CA. His journey in World War II took him through Pearl Harbor, Okinawa and Nagasaki, Japan. He was discharged on August 21, 1946. Ben was proud to have been a World War II Veteran and shared many enlightening stories of his experiences. He was a member of the Lewis VFW. Ben was also a member of the Bone Lake Lutheran Church.
On November 11, 1948 Ben married the love of his life, Ramona (Mona). They were married for 59 ½ years prior to Mona's passing in 2008. Family and friends were a treasured part of Ben's life. He always found time to spend with his family and grandchildren. He loved children! A few years after Mona's death, Ben also enjoyed his time with his special friend, Eunice Gouge. Fishing (on ice or water!) was Ben's favorite past time. He also loved deer hunting, gardening and working with his niece, Jean Boatman. Playing cards (especially cribbage), being an avid Badger and Packer sports fan and his life as a logger in the great outdoors was an important part of his life.
Ben will be deeply missed, but his gentle, kind spirit, sense of humor and delightful personality will be engraved in the hearts of many forever!
Left to celebrate fond memories of Ben are his daughters, Pamela Huser of Hudson, WI, Patti Basley of Luck, WI, and Linda Lemieux of Luck, WI; his grandchildren, Carrie Peper, Heidi Huser, Jason Huser, Tammy Eley, Ben Basley, Staci (Dominic) Sommer, Sarah (Josh) Reuter, Jimi, Poppy, Wolf, Zachary, Grace and Ezra Hochstetler; great-grandchildren, Alex, Jared, Brandon, Sierra, Preston, Carsen, McKenna, Tarynn, Mahkai, Angel, Easton, Marley, Lainey, Adam and Lucas; great-great grandchild, Jace; sisters, Floy (David) Reynolds of Underwood, MN and Bev Kramer of Rice Lake, WI; sister-in-law, Juanita Gerber of Hayward, WI; special friend, Eunice Gouge; and many treasured nieces and nephews, cousins and friends!
Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Esther; his loving wife, Ramona; his son, Dennis; his sons-in-law, Jerry Huser and Brian Hughes; brothers, Wilber and Wes and his sisters, Irene Peters and Audrey Richter.
A Celebration of Ben's Life will be held Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Bone Lake Lutheran Church, 1101 255th Avenue, Luck, WI at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Honorary Pallbearers are Ben's grandchildren, Carrie Peper, Heidi Huser, Tammy Eley, Ben Basley, Staci Sommer, and Sarah Reuter.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories and photos at www.rowefh.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Luck (715-472-2444) and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown, www.wicremationcenter.com (715-825-5550).
