John G. Hogendorn, 94, Sauk Rapids

August 15, 1920 - July 15, 2015

Funeral Services will be 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2015 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids for John G. Hogendorn, age 94, who passed away Wednesday at Brookdale Senior Living in Sauk Rapids. Rev. Yolanda Lehman will officiate and burial will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. Visitation will be two hours prior to the services Sunday at the funeral home in Sauk Rapids.

John was born August 15, 1920 in Leigh, Nebraska to John and Elsie (Glandt) Hogendorn. He was raised and worked on the family farm until entering the service. John served in the 485th Bombardment Group, Army Air Force during WW II from 1943 to 1946. After training schools in Biloxi, MS and Willow Run Ypsilanti, MI, he served as a 747 Chief Mechanic on B-24’s and B-29’s (4 engine bombers). He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in the Reserves until 1953 with an honorable discharge.

John married Marcella Kouba on Jan. 21, 1947. They farmed in Nebraska until moving to Foley, MN in 1956 and farmed until retiring in 1996. He enjoyed spending several winters in Texas after retiring and moved to Sartell, MN in 2003. John loved baseball, softball and was a loyal Twins fan. He played and cheered for the Rhiney’s Livestock softball team for over 40 years. John enjoyed hunting deer and turkey, and fishing during retirement. A perfectionist in crafts/construction; he created a covered tractor cab in the 1960’s, an ice fish house, grain drive through, hog farrow barn, and at age 92 built a 3-wheeler walker. He was a member of Foley American Legion Post #298 since 1966. John was also a past member of the Foley Lions Club since 1978 earning the Melvin Jones Lions recognition.

Survivors include his wife, Marcella of Sauk Rapids; children, Neil (Mary) of Sauk Rapids, John Dale (Jody) of Foley, and Debra Bixby (Paul Hanson) of Maple Grove; five grandchildren; one great grandchild; brothers, Eugene (Marilyn) of Englewood, CO and Donald (Karen) of Norfolk, NE; sister, Arlene Hradec of Clarkson, NE; and nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Mike Bixby; brothers, Charles, Harold, Merle and Paul; and sisters, Hazel Hogendorn and Della Pont.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Brookdale Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice for the excellent care given to John.

His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations are sent to a charity of your choice.