Dale Eli Hochstetler, 92, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston from complications of kidney failure. He was born near Frytown, Iowa, on August 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 and Hesston, KS and Greeley, CO. He 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 of life was birds, and he loved to have chickens when he could. He walked, hiked and bicycled 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 college basketball University of Kansas fan. The last few decades of his life he enjoyed owning a half-section of farmland in Marion County, KS. 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, CO, and Jay (Kelley) of Marion, IN, grandchildren Matthew (Jillian), Adam (Adrianna), Susie (Chad Pruett) Hochstetler, Hannah (Justin) Brenig, Jacob (Katy) Hochstetler, and sisters Arlene (John) Miller and Mary (Keith) Brenneman. He also had four great grandchildren: Andrew, Tobias, Isaac, Allyson. He was preceded in death by his daughter Deanne Losey, son Jerome, his brothers Don (Marvel), Orlin (Lores) and Roger (Glennis).
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 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.
