Joseph H. Hoehn

Joe was born October 11, 1919 in Princeton, MN to the late Fred and Erma (Steeves) Hoehn. He grew up on a farm near Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School in 1937. He joined the 125th Field Artillery from Princeton, MN on Feb. 1, 1940. LTC Hoehn served on active duty for five years during WW II in the European Theatre, participating in two major battles. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. Joseph H. Hoehn was united in marriage to Eunice G. Ness on June 20, 1943 at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Upon his honorable discharge in 1945, the couple returned to Princeton, MN with Joe remaining in the Minnesota National Guard. In 1950, he was again called to active duty and served in the Korean Theatre. He participated in two major campaigns and was again awarded the Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1952 and again returned to his family in Minnesota and remained in the MN National Guard. During the time LTC Hoehn commanded the Hq. Co. of the 169th Transportation Battalion at Camp Ripley, the company was awarded the Eisenhower Trophy for being the outstanding company in the state. He served on the Staff of the Command Group in St. Paul as the G-4 and at the time of his retirement on Oct. 11, 1979, he was the Inspector General for the 47th Infantry Division. Mr. Hoehn also worked for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture from Feb. 1952 until Jan. 1985. His worked as a dairy inspector in the Dairy Division inspecting mostly Grade A Dairy Farms in central Minnesota. He always spoke very favorably of Morrison County farms. “I have always felt that I had my best Grade A dairy farms right here in Morrison County” When asked what kept him in his job, Joe would always say “I don’t know if you know it or not, but when you call on farm people, you’re calling on the finest people in the world. That’s a fact. I’ve called on many people and there’s no one I’d rather call on than farmers. “They’re just down to earth, real people”. Joe was very active in the Alliance Church and took a major role in the construction of the new sanctuary. For many years, Joe and Eunice wintered in Texas and enjoyed traveling. He enjoyed golfing, pheasant hunting and fishing. Joe was a very disciplined man of integrity who was devoted to his family and country. Joe strived to make a positive difference in the world he lived in. His faith in the Lord sustained him through two wars and everyday life. Joe was a member of the Little Falls VFW Post #1112. Joseph H. Hoehn is survived by his son, Steve (Julie) Hoehn of Little Falls, MN; daughters, Donelle (Dan) Johnston of Scandia, MN; Kathleen (Rev. Ronald) Brewer of Mesa, AZ and Gwyn (Steve) Shelley of Little Falls, MN; 10 grandchildren and 12.5 great grandchildren; brothers Donald Hoehn of Mesa, AZ and Dalton (Lori) Hoehn of Zimmerman, MN; sisters, Ruth Teboe of Princeton, MN and Norene Martin of Del Ray Beach, FL. Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Eunice on June 16, 2010; parents; brother, Russell Hoehn; sisters, Ethel Shaw, Mildred Paulaha, Louise Osell and Mary Ann Hoehn.

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Joseph H. Hoehn

October 11, 1919 - November 12, 2010