Emery Hochstetler

Emery Hochstetler
October 14, 1918 - October 26, 2004
Kalona, Iowa
Visitation: 2-8 p.m. October 28, 2004 at West Union Mennonite Church
Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. October 29, 2004 at West Union Mennonite Church
Interment: 11:00 a.m. October 29, 2004 at West Union Cemetery
Emery Hochstetler was born on October 14, 1918, in Pierce County, North Dakota, the son of Eli and Edna Hochstetler. He graduated from Wolford High School in 1936, and married Audrey Swartzendruber of rural Parnell, Iowa, on November 16, 1944. They raised their five children and farmed near Oxford, Iowa. In 1964, Emery was licensed as a minister of West Union Mennonite Church, Parnell, Iowa, and two years later he was ordained to ministry in that congregation. Upon retirement from farming and the pastorate at West Union, Emery served for eight years as conference pastor for the Iowa-Nebraska Mennonite Conference. Emery and Audrey achieved one of their goals by enabling all five of their children to graduate from Mennonite colleges. They have taken great interest in the education of their grandchildren. They gave their appreciation of music as a gift to their children and emphasized family travel opportunities. Emery died suddenly on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at his home in Kalona at the age of 86 years. Emery is survived by his wife Audrey of Kalona, Iowa; five children: Jim of New York City; Jane and husband, Dale Garber, of Garden City, Missouri; Marla, and husband Randy Longenecker, of Bellefountaine, Ohio; Bill and wife, Rosie, of Iowa City, Iowa, and Ann and husband, Mark Fretz, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; eleven grandchildren: Tim, Kristi, Gina, and Charlie Garber; Chris, Angie (Strite), and Katie Longenecker; Justin, Jenny, and Joe Hochstetler; and Elyse Hochstetler Fretz; and a sister, Dora Belle Bacher of Eureka, Illinois, and a brother, Carl Hochstetler of Sarasota, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant sons, and four brothers and sisters.
A memorial fund has been established for the Pastoral Leadership Training Fund of the Central Plaines Mennonite Conference.