Wilma R. Hochstein

SYRACUSE — Wilma R. Hochstein, age 91 of Syracuse and formerly of Coleridge, died on Monday, April 8, 2019, at the Good Samaritan Center, Syracuse.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Coleridge with the Rev. David Liewer officiating. Burial was at St. Michael’s cemetery in Coleridge. Visitation was April 12 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hartington and resumed one hour prior to the service at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Coleridge.

Pallbearers were Jacob Hochstein, Tucker Hochstein, Roger Kaiser, Zak Kurtzhals, A.J. Koenig and Micah Kohles. Honorary pallbearers were Mick Hochstein, Gayle Hochstein, Ron Hochstein, Duane Arens, Sidney Hochstein, Ben Hochstein and Tegan Kohles.

Wilma Rita was born July 18, 1927, to Theresa (Schoof) and Jacob Kaiser in St. Helena. She attended St. Mary’s School in St. Helena and Mount Marty High School in Yankton, S.D. Following graduation, she worked as a dental assistant in Yankton. She married Elmer Hochstein on May 6, 1947, in St. Helena.

After marriage, she and Elmer farmed north of Bow Valley until 1960 when they purchased a farm near Coleridge. They farmed for several years before they moved into Coleridge in 1965 and started Hochstein Construction. She and Elmer ran Hochstein Construction for over 20 years. Wilma managed the accounting, and the woodwork finishing for the houses Elmer built. She also worked as a CSM in the Park View Haven Nursing Home in Coleridge. After retirement in 1986, she and Elmer maintained homes in Coleridge and Norfolk where they managed two residential retirement facilities until 2003 when they officially retired in Coleridge. It was that year that Wilma lost her beloved partner Elmer. Most of her life was spent where she loved living most, in Cedar County. In 2011, Wilma relocated to Lincoln, then Syracuse to be closer to her children.

Wilma was a member of St. Paulinus Catholic Church and Altar Society in Syracuse and former longtime member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and Altar Society in Coleridge. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Legion of Mary, Christian Mothers, Benedictine Oblates, Pink Sisters Auxiliary and was a former EMT with the Coleridge Rescue Squad. She was an active community and church volunteer in Coleridge. Elmer and Wilma enjoyed playing cards, square dancing, and big band music with family and friends.

Survivors include six children and their spouses, Connie and Eric Pettinger, Gerber, Calif.; Tami and Jim Koenig, Boise, Idaho; Sue and Bob Kohles, Palmyra; Roy and Rhea Hochstein, Bennet; Jay and Cindy Hochstein, Lincoln; and Lisa Clark, Bennet; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Schneider, Randolph; sister-in-law, Dolores Kaiser, St. James; sister and one brother and their spouses, Geraldine and Joe Schumacher, Crofton; Benny and Shirley Kaiser, St. Helena.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer; daughter, Ann Hochstein; son, Keith Hochstein; grandson, Joshua Kohles; great-grandson Bennett Studebaker; four brothers and one sister.