Arnold Hoge

HOGE, SMITH, ROCKWELL, ELLYSON, CHOATE, STANDING, KEMP, KEEN, DAY, LIBE, RICHARDS

Posted By: Ida Morse (email)
Date: 7/28/2006 at 13:33:16

Kuhn Funeral Homes
Earlham, Dexter and Redfield, Iowa

Arnold Smith Hoge was born near Springville, Iowa on September 11, 1910, the eldest of seven children of John E. and Laura Smith Hoge. He completed elementary school at the Whittier Friends School. His high School years were spent at Springville High School and Scattergood Friends School near West Branch, Iowa, graduating there in the class of 1929.

In 1934, Arnold married Mildred Rockwell, a schoolteacher from Paullina, Iowa. For 20 years they farmed near Springville. Three children were born to them: Winifred, Helen and Leonard. As a farmer, Arnold had the skills to do whatever was needed to be successful and to keep his family comfortable: carpentry, plumbing, mechanics and welding. He was one of the first farmers in the area to practice contour farming in order to conserve the soil. He served as board member and chairman of the Springville Farmers Coop Elevator.

In 1956, Arnold, Mildred, Helen and Leonard moved to Costa Rica, where they farmed for 30 years, selling milk to the local cheese plant. They entertained many students and travelers who were attracted to the natural abundance of the region.

Upon retirement they returned to the United States to live on acreage near Earlham. Mildred passed away in 1987.

In 1989, Arnold and Margaret Ellyson Choate, a nurse from Washington, Iowa, were married. They joined the Willows assisted living community of Stuart in 2002. Arnold passed away on February 21, 2004 at the age of 93, following open-heart surgery. Burial took place at Bear Creek Cemetery the day of his death.

Arnold was preceded in death by his first wife Mildred, his parents, one grandson and 2 sisters. He is survived by: wife Margaret; children; Winifred Standing and husband Ellis of Earlham; Helen Kemp and husband Ed of Brandon, Florida; and Leonard Hoge of Adel, Iowa; 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; brothers Morris Hoge of Springville; Ivan Hoge and wife Sis of Anamosa, Iowa; sisters Alma Keen and husband Leonard of Bloomington, Indiana; and Ellen (Kathy) Day and husband Charles of Johnston, Iowa; also stepchildren Jeanette Libe and husband Bob, Linda Richards and husband Joe, all of Washington, Iowa; and Richard Choate and wife Patty of Mankato, Minnesota, 7 step grandchildren and 13 step great-grandchildren.

Arnold was a gentle man with strong convictions. A lifelong member of the Society of Friends, he supported groups focused on peacemaking, social justice, education, and relief for the underprivileged. He had a warm sense of humor and loved to tease. Sports and travel were his special interests, especially visiting family and friends who were all dear to him.

Memorials will be contributed to the New Horizons program of West Central Mental Health Center, Adel, Iowa.