Obituary of John Hoegl

BIOGRAPHY HOEGL ~ John Hoegl passed away at the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at the age of 73 years. John leaves to mourn his passing: Marilyn, his beloved wife of 49 years; four children and their families, JoAnn (Kevin) Lider, Shari (Nick) Garnier, Colleen Hoegl and Murry (Lynette) Hoegl; nine adored grandchildren, Ashley, Justine, Savanna, Dyson, Jayna, Taylor, Shania, Devyn and Quinn; sister, Julie Rayson; brother-in-law, George Nelson and numerous other relatives. John was predeceased by an infant son; and his parents, Anton and Hilda Hoegl; one sister, Barbara and his mother-in-law, Evelyn Nelson in May of 2013. A Prayer Vigil for John was held at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lloydminster, on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 7:00 PM. The Funeral Service was held at the St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lloydminster on Friday, October 17, 2014 at 11:00 AM with Father Rajappa Savariappan officiating. The Pianist was Donna Weston. The Honorary Pallbearers were all those who shared in John's life and everyone who's lives have been touched by John. Active Pallbearers were: Alan Lorenz, Lenard Lorenz, Jonas Hoegl, Curtis Devereux, Harry Blumenschien and Aaron Crush. The reception was held at the Lloydminster Convention Center. Donations in memory of John Hoegl may be made to charity of choice. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy given by Colleen Hoegl "ALL GREAT MEN DIE TOO YOUNG" a university professor once said to me. These words have resonated in my head for years not knowing they would apply to our world. A great man. Deserving of a dignified, respectful exit. We will remember him as a strong leader. His last day on earth was without pain, doing what he loved with the woman he loved even more. We have faith that if anyone deserves a happy afterlife it is DAD. So many people have shared such thoughtful words over the last few days. Just a taste of them that I would like to share were ... - What?? John Hoegl .. Johnny doesn't die! - John was like a statesman, so well spoken, intelligent and rational ... but just too honest to partake in that world. - He was the "dad I wanted" ... both your Mom and Dad. - We could all take a lesson from your dad in devotion to family and community. - He was a great man ... respected, intelligent and kind. He always had a cheerful voice and something nice to say about everyone - The love he had for family and extended family was to be admired - THANK GOD for Grandpa John - I will miss your dad whenever I am needing a gentle reminder of how to act like a gentleman - He has been a role model, 2nd dad and friend - his entire community will miss Papa Hoegl - I had such respect for your dad. A man himself that showed respect for all others and a kind word and smile whenever we met - A true pillar to our small community and the bigger world too - He was a truly respected and dedicated community member. Your Mom and Dad were the perfect couple Your Dad and Mom's love always shone so bright and showed such wholesome strength - full of live and love - People everywhere will miss his warm smile and kind heart. He always had time for everyone and touched all of the people he met. - The best of all from Mur and Lynette ... What's with all these "dam" buns, we don't GET buns ... we DELIVER them!!!! The world was blessed with John Hoegl May 18, 1941. He was born to Tony Hoegl and Hilda Otto. Brother to Barbara and Julie. The first years of his life were spent at the family farm now, belonging to the Bygrove family. At a young age they relocated to the present Hoegl Farms Location. Hoegl Farms Ltd. was Dad's pride. He maintained and ran his farm business with wisdom. He was a savvy agricultural businessman. The mostly green machinery was meticulously maintained and continuously updated. Mom could often be found "waxing the green" in order to bring a smile to dad's face. There was always generous time to share and seek the newest farm ideas. In fact, young and old alike, admired his farming skills. I remember smiling to myself as I listened to a bundle of Grade One boys playing "farm" at Hillmond School. One little man yells out loudly to the bunch ... "I'll be Johnny Hoegl today, ok?" That farm he will now watch over with pride from above as Murry and Lynette continue the legacy. And Murry, I KNOW he has faith that you will make him proud each day as he watches peacefully from above. He started his school years in North Gully School and Hillmond. He, even then, strove to do his best. His school books are all, to this day, filed neatly away ... the neatest most organized set of books ever seen. Murry and I, when only maybe 7 and 10, were doing our Christmas shopping and this "old lady" stopped us and hugged us ... "You must be John Hoegl's children" she could see Murry's almost identical resemblance. She proceeded to tell us that she was Mrs. Lamb that taught Dad Grade one "Your dad was the smartest little guy I have ever taught." She went on and on with stories of praise. He was too smart to stay with kids his own age, so I skipped him a year. Both Murry and I, although very young, will never forget that moment that someone else confirmed that our dad was someone truly to be proud of. The grandchildren continue to study hard so that they "might skip a grade like Grandpa". Dad finished all the schooling he could in the small country school. When it came to high school, it was acceptable at that time to not continue schooling. Dad who always enjoyed the quest for knowledge, chose to move to Lloyd to live with Grandpa Otto so that he could achieve his Grade 12. He often said that this was not easy, but he felt it had to be done. In 1958 Dad headed off to College at The Vermilion School of Agriculture. He again strove to go above and beyond. He finished a diploma in practical agriculture in half the time the program was meant to be completed in. He continues to be in the very close acquaintance of many of his college buddies. He and Mom enjoy the alumni reunion there each year. Dad was ever so pleased to contribute to the new college building and just this year, he was so proud to plant a centennial tree at the college. In fact, it was due to the college alumni reunion that Dad found Mom, the true love and purpose of his life. Thanks to Marlene Risling, Dad ended up dateless for the reunion that year. In a panic Dad took Uncle Ed's advice to call Marilyn Nelson, who was working at Husky Refinery Office. Upon his phone call, Mom hung up promptly after declaring "she doesn't take personal calls." But true to his personality, thank God, he persevered. Mom says she "jumped in the car anyway" when he showed up. Even though her plans were to travel the world ... she did .... she made it all the way to Hillmond from Kitscoty. Marilyn Nelson and John Hoegl were married in July 1965. A day of great celebration to unite two people so dedicated to the sacrament of marriage and each other. I am certain that you all have seen and admired the dedication to each other that they have always displayed. Never ever did you see one without the other. If it was bedtime for one, it was bedtime for the other. Mom just was sharing dad's story of him running in to the John Deere shop on his own. Brad was in shock "what's wrong John?" Dad, not understanding .... "pardon?" Brad replied, "well WHERE'S MARILYN?" Mom always waited patiently for Dad. Dad in return waited, mostly patiently, for mom as he chauffeured her to community events and occasionally a dress store. Not because she couldn't do it on her own, but because they genuinely did not want to do anything without the other. Countless friends of ours over the years have made uncountable comments stating that they wished they could find a relationship with mutual respect and love like our Mom and Dad shared. This year they were planning to celebrate 50 years. Dad was a true gentleman and romantic that expressed his love for Mom daily. Mom shared that this year he even shut down combing early (previously unheard of) to come in because he "just missed her." In celebration of Mom and Dad's 25th Anniversary, Dad had a '63 Mercury Meteor secretly restored in the likeness of their wedding car. Mom and Dad used this car for their anniversaries and children's weddings for all the years that follow. Murry chauffers Mom in that priceless car today. Marilyn and John's family grew. Soon they were joined by JoAnn, Shari, Colleen and Murry. We four children were some of the most fortunate children on Earth. We grew up in a home of love. A home where we were all encouraged to become our own people. Our thoughts were always heard. Our activities and choices were always supported, even if it was not the choice Mom and Dad would have made. Dad and Mom gave us the freedom to do as we dreamed, although their expectations of "doing it right" were made clear. Never ever did we hear words of anger or foul words. Curfews did not exist. We just simply KNEW what reasonable was ... I don't know how they achieved that level of understanding. However, as raising children works, I do know there were certainly times that we all tested the limits (some more than others I must add). I have told this story a million times before today .... that we did at no time fear being grounded or punished. Dad was even most rational at times with teens that I am sure he was not FEELING rational. He would simply place the child in question at one end of the dining table with him placed at the other. He would look us in the eyes and calmly explain his "Disappointment" ... and that he thought he had raised us to "know better". These calm conversations would extend for what seemed like hours. We ALL would do ANYTHING to avoid disappointing DAD. Anything would be better than that dreaded word ... DISAPPOINTED. We sometimes wonder a bit if both Mom and Dad wanted so many children. We sometimes think that Dad swung a deal ... Mom would bare him 4 children as long as he made sure we got out of the house each and every day. The four Hoegl children were delivered to school no matter the weather ... rain, shine, snow, storm, even hurricane I am sure .... Dad got us to school without fail even if it meant we all piled into the tractor. Camping was a family activity enjoyed, watersports and time spent with family and friends. Many trips were decided though after the sky turned into rain and work had been brought to a stop. He always found time to spend with his family be it camping or supporting our activities or teaching us to knit baby booties (Dad did that when Mom was in the hospital ... a skill he learned from his Mom.) Dad and Mom both were very busy always contributing to the local community and a far. Church community was essential to Dad. No matter what, Sunday morning meant church and a visit with the grandparents of either side. He spent many years on the Hillmond School board, Irrigation committee, Credit Union board, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Saskatchewan Flying Farmers to this day and of course his latest favorite the Lloydminster Exhibition Board. He spoke publicly often and well. "Always give more than you take" was a motto true to his heart. Many nights the station wagon headed out as Dad had yet another meeting. Selflessly contributing. I recall one friend whispering quietly "where does your Dad go all dressed up every night?" ... until that point I thought EVERYONE'S Dad went to volunteer meetings night after night. Us kids played "meeting" a lot as we thought that's what all adults did. Dad had a wide range of special hunting buddies. Many a meeting were held at the table with his long time hunting crew. He also loved to spend time with the goose hunters from south or at Plaistead's fishing camp. In 1980 Dad acquired his private pilot's licence which became a magnificent hobby and useful ability to check on cattle and travel further and get there faster! Flying was a PASSION for Dad. We all enjoyed flying with him - especially the grandchildren who had the opportunity that very few of their little friends would ever get - chance to spend time with their Grandpa way above in the sky. The "Flying Farmers" community provided Mom and Dad with a wide array of friends throughout the continent. Eventually the family grew as in-laws joined the family and made Dad even more proud. He was so happy to see his family grow. He always made sure though, we were once again making wise decisions! Holidays and birthdays and even a few over the ocean relative visits always called for a family dinner at the farm. Good thing Mom was always ready with a fabulous meal! As we aged these gatherings were getting rather quiet with only adults and finally the grandchildren started to arrive. These of course became the bext part of aging for Dad! The process was slow as Dad had done his best at instilling some Catholic "rules" in our home. The slow going process got a bonus package deal when 3 special grandchildren were added to the slow growing bunch. Dad's eyes truly sparkled with a bounty of pride when he saw each and every one of those 9 grandchildren. The city ones and the country kids. Recently, Mom and Dad have been able to enjoy quite a bit of travel, some trips to Germany, Cruises and short jaunts, but they always kept that in check as they didn't want to miss too many cattle shows (Murry's Passion) or kids sporting events. Their house has always been open to numerous friends from all walks of like. Mom would serve treats and Dad always had the bar stocked. Card games were plenty and visits were seldom short as he had a genuine interest in everything that anyone was doing. Dad spent a lifetime disputing the old adage that we have jokingly heard from many fathers. "Do as I say, not as I do". No dad quietly waited and watched for us to simply "Do as I DO". Dad, we vow we will all Do as you Did. We will maintain the work ethic that you instilled in us. We will be rational and fair We will have respect for all others no matter what their story is We will be committed to family and friends and their well being We will contribute positively to our communities We will be selfless and share wealth and time whenever we can, and even sometimes when it is difficult for us. We will love and respect each other, Especially Mom. We know she is an amazingly strong and smart lady, but she is now missing a piece of her soul. As she went to bed by herself the other night she said quietly, "I've never done this before". But we will get her through. She is having faith that you went early to prepare her next home. I think she is expecting hardwood floors this round. Murry and his family will continue your farming legacy. He wants you to be proud of what he can do. I know you have been always and have no fear of what he can achieve. Thank-you from the bottom our souls for everything you blessed us with. We are proud of you and what you stood for. We will spend the rest of our lives striving so that you may look down on us with pride and you can point out from up there .... "those are my family ... I taught them that." Dad, Husband, Grandpa, Uncle, Friend .... WE LOVE YOU forever and always. CARD OF THANKS A Big Thank-You to Chuck & Sam for immediate help and to the ambulance attendants. Thank you to Father Rajappa Savariappan, Evelyn & Marcel for officiating; Donna for the music; Raymond, Raylene & Madalen for singing. Your music was exactly what John would have wanted. Thank you to readers, Coralie, Shawna, Leanne, godson, Dennis, and niece, Cathy. Thank you to Pallbearers Alan, Lenard, Jonas, Curtis, Harry & Aaron. A huge Thank-You to Lloydminster Exhibition for a super meal. Justine & Ashley your picture show was very good. Thank you for the food, flowers, phone calls, visits & prayers. The neverending thoughtfulness were what got us through this difficult time. Thank you to McCaw Funeral Service, especially Joel, you did cover everything! God Bless You All! The Hoegl Family