Obituary of Elizabeth Lydia Hoch

Elizabeth Lydia (Wicht) Hoch, 91, died Monday, October 5, 2015 at her home in Duluth, MN. She was born on January 3, 1924 in Minneapolis, to Ernest and Ella (Samuelson) Wicht. Following graduation from Central High School and then Junior College in Duluth, she completed an Engineering Aide program and worked at Wright Airfield, installing radio equipment on planes. After 11 months, she enlisted in the Navy, and upon completion of boot camp was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C. She served as a Yeoman First Class until her discharge. She completed her degree upon returning home, graduating from the College of St. Scholastica in 1949, and married Robert H. Hoch in 1951. She was a tireless supporter of the many activities of her four children, loved dancing and playing bridge, was a fixture at UMD Hockey games, an active member of AAUW and Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, and especially enjoyed the arts, attending concerts, plays, operas, and museums. After retiring from a 15-year career at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, she and her husband traveled extensively to visit friends and family, endearing herself along the way to all she met with her beautiful smile and sweet personality. Elizabeth and Bob moved to Bella Vista, AR, and enjoyed several years there before she returned to Duluth, following Bob's passing. A generous and loving spirit, she will be missed by many. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa of Superior, WI, and Deborah (Kurt Nelson) of Minneapolis; her sons, Robert (Juliana) of Loveland, CO, and Stephen (Vicky) of Portland, OR; her sister, Charlotte Lee of Duluth; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great- nephews. Memorial Service: 2 pm on Sunday, November 1, 2015 at Glen Avon Church in Duluth; visitation with the family before and after the service. Military Honors will be accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard; arrangements by the Minnesota Cremation Society. Interment will be in a shared grave with her husband at Fort Snelling. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Honor Flight, Inc., Attn: Diane Gresse, 300 Auburn Ave., Springfield, OH 45505, or to other Veteran's charities of the donor's choosing. Cremation Society of Minnesota 218-624-5200