Lucile F. HochstetlerHesston, KS

Lucile Conrad Hochstetler (98) passed away on January 31, 2026 in Hesston, KS at Showalter Villa. She was born in Albany, Oregon on May 28, 1927 to Orie and Edna Zehr Conrad.

Lucile spent her childhood on the family farm near Tangent, Oregon. She was a graduate of Goshen College, earning a BA in Home Economics and Physical Education. She married Dale Hochstetler in August 1949 at the Conrad farm in Oregon. They made their first home in Wellman, Iowa, where their children were born. In 1962 they purchased the Hesston Mill & Elevator in Hesston, Kansas and moved to Hesston.

She was a substitute teacher in the Newton Public Schools for many years. Lucile was active in the community and a charter member of both the Hesston Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Civic Club. Lucile enjoyed attending school activities with her children, especially music and sporting events. She also enjoyed reading, gardening, and keeping up with world events. She was an avid college basketball University of Kansas fan. She participated in the Emma Creek Classic and won her age division for multiple years. She was an avid walker and enjoyed walking at the Dyck Arboretum for many years.

In 1981 Lucile and Dale began volunteering with Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA). They served two years in Zaire and three years in Jamaica. After returning to Hesston, she joined Dale in the Kansas real estate business as a realtor. Her love of travel led her to work with Prudent Tours for fifteen years as a tour guide. She was a member of Hesston Mennonite Church.

Traveling was an important part of her life and she found time to explore the world. Her travels included Kenya, Ecuador, Egypt, Israel, Jamaica, Greece, England, Zaire, France, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and Germany. She studied French in preparation for her work in Zaire.

Lucile is survived by her son Thomas (Katy) of Estes Park, CO, daughter-in-law Kelley of Marion, IN, grandchildren Matthew (Jillian), Adam (Adrianna), Susie (Chad Pruett) Hochstetler, Hannah (Justin) Brenig, Jacob (Katy) Hochstetler, Shedell (Gus) Abellar and brother James (Mary Ann) Conrad and sister Lois (Ivan) Kauffman. She also had 9 great grandchildren: Andrew, Tobias, Isaac, Allyson, Oliver, Parker, Emily, Liam and Augusto. She was preceded in death by her husband Dale, daughter Deanne Losey, sons Jerome and Jay, brothers Ruben, Amos, Mark and Clarence and sisters Verna Birky and Mary Brenneman.

Services and visitation will be held at the Schowalter Villa chapel in Hesston on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and services at 11:00 am. Memorial contributions may be made to Dyck Arboretum of the Plains or Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.