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Hohertz
Melvin "Mel" Harold Hohertz
December 13, 1925 - May 10, 2018
Melvin Harold Hohertz (Mel) died on Thursday May 10, 2018 in Colorado Springs where he lived since the early '70's. He was 92 years old. Mel was born on Dec. 13, 1925 in Anamoose, North Dakota. He grew up in South Dakota helping his family run their farm , and from those roots he grew up with a strong sense of family and an unyielding work ethic.
Mel met his late wife, Vicki when they were teenagers, fell in love and married on his 21st birthday. Mel joined the Army shortly thereafter and they traveled the world together for the next 70 years.
Mel was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arvilla (Vicki) Jacobson Hohertz, his parents, Gustav and Tracy (Knalson) Hohertz, sisters, Esther, Violet, Eunice,and brother, Gustav.
Mel is survived by his sons, Robert, Mike (Rose), Tim, and daughter, Rhonda (Larry) Nutter, grandchildren, Jennifer Hohertz, Michael (Victoria) Hohertz, Claire Nutter (Leon) Dicks, and Berit (Andy) Boyd. He is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren; Isabel Mendoza, Deanna Zavala, Alex J. Hohertz, Michael X Hohertz, Jr., and Kathryn Ann Boyd.
Mel joined the Army in 1945, and started his military career. He was one of the few soldiers to have skipped basic training. He wore many hats in the Army, starting as a phone operator, then becoming an Armor Crewman (Tanker), and then was in the Field Artillery. Mel eventually was assigned to Michigan State University, and was the ROTC Rifle and Pistol team coach. Our family lived on campus and became ardent Spartan fans.
Mel and the family went wherever the Army sent them: West Germany twice, Michigan State University, Ottawa, Kansas, and finally, as Advisor to the National Guard, headquartered in Joplin, Missouri , where he retired in 1967 as a Master Sergeant (E-8).
After retiring, Mel taught ROTC at Joplin High School for four years. Mel and Vicki then moved to Colorado Springs, where Mel became a Real Estate Broker and had a very successful career for the next 25 years. When Mel retired, he had a lot of time for his wife, Vicki and children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mel & Vicki purchased a motor home and traveled extensively across the U.S. and Canada - everywhere became home! He loved family gatherings, including cheering on his favorite, the Denver Broncos.
Mel was intelligent, possessed of extremely good judgment and was a kind and thoughtful man in all he said and did during his life. He was noted for his wise and patient demeanor which was appreciated greatly by all who knew him, especially his cherished family.
Mel was devoted to his family. He will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and those who knew him over the years.
To celebrate his life, a service will be held Saturday, May 19, 2018 at noon at Swan-Law Funeral Directors, with a public viewing one hour prior.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
I will miss my strong, yet gentle big brother
Ed Hohertz
May 21, 2018
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Funeral services provided by:
Swan-Law Funeral Directors501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
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