Scott Hockenberry

Scott A. Hockenberry, 58, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2008, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Scott Allan Hockenberry was born April 8, 1950, in Atlantic, Iowa, to Donald Scott and Cora Maxine (Herrick) Hockenberry.

He attended grade school in the last country school in the Atlantic area and went to Atlantic High School, graduating in 1968. He then went on to Iowa Western Community College in Clarinda, Iowa, graduating with an Associates Degree.

Not following a course he desired, he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Radio Broadcasting at Brown College. Returning to Iowa, he worked briefly for KSIB Radio in Creston. When an opportunity for employment as an announcer was offered by KJAN Radio Atlantic, Scott moved home. He enjoyed his employment, the golf outings, the activities they organized frequently, and his co-workers at KJAN, but after a time he felt the need to continue his quest for a long nagging curiosity towards the funeral industry.

Scott researched the requirements for mortuary science school and discovered he would need additional courses in science, anatomy and psychology. He returned to Iowa Western College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for another year to attain the necessary credits. Following that, in 1976, he applied to Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, Illinois, and was accepted. He attended Worsham's, and at the same time collected a couple more classes at Illinois State University in Chicago. He graduated 2nd in his class at Worsham's receiving a gold watch and the Morazak and Russ Award for Excellence in Restorative Art. In 1991, Scott returned for education and attended the Vernie Fountain National Academy in Springfield, Missouri, which focuses on highly specialized embalming practices and post mortem reconstructive surgery.

Scott served his internship and worked at Hamilton's Funeral Home in Des Moines, Iowa, before starting work for Service Corporation International, a large funeral company. He quickly became a district manager for 12 funeral homes in central Iowa and was based out of McLaren's Funeral Home in Des Moines, Iowa. While that was enlightening and educational, after a few years he decided to purchase a funeral home. He bought funeral homes in Sioux City and Moville, Iowa. He owned and operated Christy, Smith & Hockenberry Funeral Homes for 15 years before deciding to sell out and take time for some of life's enjoyments.

Aside from his avid reading practices and philosophical thinking, bike riding was one of Scott's passions. He was a member of the Sioux City Cycle Club and made many trips with his riding buddies. Among his favorites were Okoboji Bike Rides and RAGBRAI. He enticed his children into riding and in 1995, Scott and Shawn joined 300 others in the Iowa 150 Sesquicentennial Great Bike Ride Across America.

In 1998, Scott realized his longtime dream and drove down the Elk Horn Road, stopping at the corner where it meets the Marne Road, and, absorbing the night lights of Atlantic sparkling across the valley, he returned home once more, for good. Not knowing for certain his goal when he arrived, he decided to try a different career and once again returned to Iowa Western College in Council Bluffs to get a certificate in drug and alcohol counseling. He worked at ADAA for a while until he concluded the void in his life was not being a funeral director.

In 2001, after a brief time spent in semi-retirement, plans and work began to remodel a building in Atlantic, and in 2002 Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home opened its doors. In 2005, he acquired the funeral homes in Anita, Adair and Casey, Iowa. He continued his love of the funeral industry until his untimely death. His unique talents and ideas he taught and shared, will continue to be in place for many years. He shall unquestionably be missed by many of his fellow professionals, co-workers and families, who entrusted him with their loved ones for over 30 years.

The art of humorous wit and ad-libs were exchanged between Scott and staff on a daily basis. Others, too, will have a smile on their face as they remember his ability to relate jokes and use his own distinct style of combining words. His finger pointing upward, as we all laughed and taunted each other, will leave a great emptiness in us as we continue on. He believed in the power of laughter.

Scott was a member of the Atlantic Elks Lodge 445, Pymosa Lodge A.F. & A. M., Kiwanis, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, a Mortuary Fraternity, and the Iowa Funeral Directors Association.

Scott married Kathie Hogue on June 16, 1973, in Harlan, Iowa. In addition to Kathie, Scott is survived by his daughter, Karyn Powell, and her husband Jay, of Rockford, Illinois, and his son, Shawn, of Atlantic, Iowa. Also saddened by his death are, his father-in-law, Larry Hogue of Harlan, IA; brothers-in-law, Brad Hogue of Oklahoma, Keary (Sheri) Hogue of Harlan, IA, Mark (Carla) Hogue of Omaha, NE, Kevin (Michele) Hogue of Oxford, IA, Kolin (Amy) Hogue of Washington, IA; sister-in-law, Deb (Russ) Mangels of Waukee, IA; his many cherished cousins, aunts and uncles; many nieces & nephews; his loyal and dedicated staff at the funeral home; and countless friends from various locations.

Prior to Scott's death, he lost his parents, Donald and Maxine Hockenberry; his mother-in-law, Shirley Hogue; a sister-in-law, Kelly Christiansen; and a number of aunts and uncles.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 1, 2008, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa, with the Reverend Dennis Meyer officiating. Viewing will be all day Wednesday and a visitation with family present will be from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the chapel at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic. Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later date.

Scott's family, staff and Reverends are planning his services through the loving care of Scott's funeral home, Hockenberry Family Care, Atlantic, Iowa.