George Hohweiler

George Hohwieler, age, 52, Aurora, Neb., passed away Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, at his home after a three year battle with cancer.

George Hohwieler, the son of Eldon and Janice (Lessman) Hohwieler, was born in Madison, S.D., on Jan. 23, 1963.

He grew up on the family farm near Chester, where he milked cows and raised registered Duroc hogs. He graduated from Chester High School in 1981, where he enjoyed playing basketball and football. He graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1985, and was a member of the SDSU chapter of the FarmHouse fraternity. In 1994, George earned his master’s in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).

George was married to Nancy Parsons in Philip on June 28, 1986. Together they raised three sons, Andy, Bradley and Jordan. They enjoyed visiting family in South Dakota and traveling across the county on family vacations, but George was always happy to get back home to central Nebraska where he could watch the corn grow. George happily referred to central Nebraska as “God’s greenhouse.”

George worked for Northrup King (currently Syngenta) Seed Company for 18 years from 1985-2003. He began his career right out of college as a production assistant in Washington, Iowa, and ended as plant manager in Phillips, Neb. Over his career with the company the family lived in Washington, Iowa, Waterloo, Iowa, Minneapolis, Minn., Grand Island, Neb., and Aurora, Neb. 

Beginning in 2003, George worked at the Aurora Cooperative as CEO and president. George loved living and working in central Nebraska. He was a hard worker and enjoyed going to work each day. He cherished the people he worked with and met through his work at Syngenta Seeds and the Aurora Cooperative. George had a genuine passion for agriculture which he brought to his job every day. He especially loved visiting with area farmers who would stop in and visit George at his office.

George was heavily invested in the lives of his three boys. He recognized the important values that sports can teach kids – competition, respecting authority, following the rules, working hard, and showing good sportsmanship – and passed along those values to his sons. He served as his sons’ coach, referee, cheerleader, athletic trainer, amateur sports psychologist and on more than one occasion, mediator. Despite his busy schedule, George always made time to attend his sons’ sporting, academic, and church activities – close to 1,000 in all. He was proud that his sons followed his legacy at the FarmHouse fraternity at UNL. George was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. He started listening to the Twins radio broadcasts with his grandfather, Henry Hohwieler, as a young boy, which is another passion he passed on to his three sons.

George was a member of the Monroe Evangelical Free Church, which he and Nancy attended for 16 years. George attended a men’s Bible study for 20 years with a special group of men who discussed a lot of Nebraska football but also studied God’s word and helped each other with the struggles of life.

George was a people person. He met challenges with determination, optimism, a smile, and faith in God. Through his life with his family and friends, his service at his church, and his professional career, George was a source of strength, wisdom, encouragement, and faith. He will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Henry and Leona Hohwieler, Herman Lessman, Fern Lessman and Jeanetta Lessman.

Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife of 29 years, Nancy, Aurora; three sons, Andy Hohwieler, Twin Falls, Idaho, Bradley Hohwieler, Omaha, and Jordan Hohwieler, Lincoln; parents, Eldon and Janice Hohwieler, Wentworth; two sisters, Tammy Ragan, Fosston, Minn., and Terri Hogarth, Sioux Falls; brother, Lyndon Hohwieler, Harrisburg; and several nieces, nephew, cousins and other family members.

Memorial services were held Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Monroe Evangelical Free Church at Phillips, Neb., with Pastor Bob Stretch officiating. 

Private family graveside services were at the Aurora Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation. 

Higby-McQuiston Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. 

Condolences may be emailed to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary. com.