Gerry Joseph Hochstein
YANKTON, S.D. — Gerry Joseph Hochstein, 84,Yankton, S.D., formerly of Fordyce, died Oct. 30, 2020, at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton.
Visitation and a Vigil service were Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fordyce, and will continue Wednesday, at church, one hour prior to services.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Nov. 4, at 10:30 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating.
Burial will be at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Fordyce.
Pallbearers will be Scott Keiter, Keevin Arens, Alan Arens, Ken Jensen, Jody Jensen and Pam Haidle.
Face masks and social distancing are required for the visitation and funeral.
You may watch a livestream of the funeral by going to https:www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live/. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral
Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.
Gerry Joseph was born Nov. 24, 1935, in Fordyce, to Rudolph J. and Mary (Suing) Hochstein. He grew up in the Fordyce area and went to country school east of Fordyce. He helped his dad on the farm then worked for several farmers in the St. Helena and Hartington areas. Gerry bought a farm north of Fordyce prior to his marriage to Frances Marie Blaha April 29, 1963, in Dante, S.D. He did custom work, drove a truck hauling cattle and hogs. He shelled corn and did custom baling for many area farmers. Gerry raised livestock and milked cows, and had a team of horses and wagon of which he was very proud. He drove his team in the Hartington Centennial parade, Springfield, S.D., parade and St. Helena and Randolph parades.
Gerry was a member of St. John the Baptist Church and helped dig graves by hand and volunteered to mow the cemetery.
Gerry is survived by his wife, Frances, Yankton, S.D.; five daughters and spouses, Jolene (Jerry) Fischer, Hartington; Geraldine Hochstein, Yankton, S.D.; Julie (Arthur) Hoesing, Yankton, S.D.; Jane (Elmer) Hoesing, Coleridge; and Janice (Greg) Lambrecht, Pierce; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three brothers, Leon (Mary) Hochstein, Yankton, S.D.; Roger (Jeanne) Hochstein, Yankton, S.D.; Glenn (Jo) Hochstein, Tucson, Arix.; six sisters, Noreen Goebel, Lincoln; Inez Halgerson, Omaha; Claudette (Tim) Jensen, Hartington; Berniece (Richard) Luehn, Audubon, Minn.; Jean Marie Schroeder, Lewiston, Idaho; Florence (Roger) Maine, Spokane, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Larry; two sisters, Joan (Roman) Keiter and LaVerne (Francis) Arens; brothers-in-law, Jake Halgerson and Jack Goebel; grandson, Jerome Hoesing; granddaughter, Rebecca Fischer; nephew, Dustin Hochstein; and niece, Rochelle Hochstein.