Wilbert “Bert” Louis Hoeck died peacefully on May 12, 2020 in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 88 years.
Wilbert was born on August 11, 1931 in Hooper, Nebraska to Edward Herman Hoeck, a farmer and Etta Clara (Von Seggern) Hoeck, housewife. He attended country school. He dropped out of school to help on the farm when his father became ill.
Wilbert enlisted in the Air Force September 13, 1950. He acquired his GED October 20, 1950 and was trained as a Photography Lab Technician. Wilbert was granted an Honorable Discharge on March 21, 1952 for family hardship.
He married Ellen Yvonne Rasmussen on October 4, 1953 at the Methodist Church in Anita, Iowa. They had three children: Bert, Mary, and Norman.
After moving to Atlantic, Iowa, Wilbert and Ellen joined the Zion Lutheran Church. He assisted with serving luncheons at the church in his later years.
He tried different jobs and then began working in 1962 for the Atlantic Municipal Utilities. He oversaw eleven projects for the water plant on the year he retired in 1993.
Wilbert enjoyed many hobbies. In his younger years, Wilbert bowled on a bowling league and played slow pitch soft ball on the AMU league. He was an avid visitor and would engage even the quietest person in conversation. Pinochle, Poker, Pitch, Spite & Malice, Skip Bo and Uno were played at the dining table. Other times, he would watch birds feed and record on his calendar the types of birds which would pass through, and what type of feed they preferred. Wilbert loved to fish, brew homemade beer, and teach his grandkids how to fish and how to drive Old Blue, his manual drive truck. He watched televised sports and enjoyed Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights. Most of all, Wilbert loved to visit with his friends, neighbors, and family.
Wilbert is survived by his sister, Norma (Ron) Dant of Atlantic, Iowa; by his brother-in-law, Robert (Lori) Rasmussen of Hutchinson, Minnesota; by his brother-in-law John Rasmussen of Santa Barbara, California; by his son Bert (April) Hoeck; his daughter, Mary (friend, Bill Casteel) Juhler; his son, Norman (Sue) Hoeck of Atlantic, Iowa; granddaughter, Christina (Robert) Bradshaw of Omaha, Nebraska; granddaughter, Melissa (Steve) Murray of Cumberland; granddaughter, Cathyryn (friend, Bruce Miller) Nieto of Evansville, Indiana; grandson, Mitchell (April) Hoeck of Atlantic; granddaughter, Cassie Weeks of West Point, Nebraska; great grandchildren Amberlye & Michael Ervin, Reanna and Bryor Murray of Cumberland, Iowa; Wesly and Alex Bradshaw of Omaha, Nebraska; Michael and Jonathan Nieto and Isaac Miller of Evansville, Indiana; Crystal and Tiffani Anne Hoeck of West Point, Nebraska; Lilly Hoeck, Taylor Kirchner, Matthew Baker, Logan Hoeck & Jaydon Hoeck of Atlantic, Iowa; plus many other relatives and friends.
Wilbert is preceded in death by his wife, Ellen; his parents, Ed and Etta Hoeck; his brother, Edward L. Hoeck; his sister, Dorothy and her husband, Ben Mackrill; his sister-in-law, Rose Mary (Folk) Rasmussen; brother-in-law, Donald Eugene Rasmussen and his wife Helen-Jane; his sister-in-law, Lorraine Rasmssen; and his grandson, Justin Hoeck.
A graveside service at Atlantic Cemetery, and a luncheon to follow will be held at a later date.
