Juanita Irene Hochhalter

JUANITA IRENE HOCHHALTER February 9, 1928 ~ December 4, 2020 Juanita (Stewart) Hochhalter was born in the small southwestern Kansas town of Elkhart. As an energetic child, she enjoyed spending time with her parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and other family members. She made Elkhart like it was the "Garden of Eden." Juanita loved learning and started her formal education in the local community. She committed her life to Jesus Christ and began her spiritual journey while attending the Elkhart Church of the Nazarene. In 1935, the Great American Dust Bowl created severe health issues for the Stewart family, so Juanita's parents decided to "temporarily" leave their beautiful home and relocate to Monte Vista, CO, where they found work and a safer health environment for their family. The Stewart family met friends in Monte Vista from Elkhart and immediately connected with a local church in town. Monte Vista ("Montie") was a good location for their family. In 1942, at the beginning of World War II, Juanita's father found a new job working in the naval shipyards in Vancouver, WA. Once again, she was moving with her mother, brothers (Robert and Val) and older sister (Virginia) to Washington. Upon arriving in Vancouver, the Stewart family was reacquainted with friends from Colorado and Kansas, and the family began attending the Vancouver Church of the Nazarene, where Juanita continued to deepen her faith in God and enjoyed singing in a young ladies' singing group. The Stewart family met friends in Monte Vista from Elkhart and immediately connected with a local church in town. Monte Vista ("Montie") was a good location for their family. In 1942, at the beginning of World War II, Juanita's father found a new job working in the naval shipyards in Vancouver, WA. Once again, she was moving with her mother, brothers (Robert and Val) and older sister (Virginia) to Washington. Upon arriving in Vancouver, the Stewart family was reacquainted with friends from Colorado and Kansas, and the family began attending the Vancouver Church of the Nazarene, where Juanita continued to deepen her faith in God and enjoyed singing in a young ladies' singing group. In December 1960, Juanita and Ben purchased the Columbia Crest Poultry Farm on Prune Hill in Camas from Ben's sister and brother-in-law, where they worked full-time including all their kids in this new adventure. Juanita and Ben welcomed their fifth child, Janelle. Juanita continued to focus on the family farm until the mid-1970s, when she earned her real estate license and as a family, they transitioned from the poultry business to obtaining rental properties in the local area. Juanita and Ben were a great team; Juanita kept the books and Ben was handy with almost any needed repair at their rentals. Juanita wanted each rental to become a special home for their tenants and formed long-term relationships with her tenants. The Hochhalter family remained busy in their local church, Camas Church of the Nazarene. Juanita served her church in many different capacities, including being a member of the church board, president of the missionary society, teaching third grade Sunday school class and singing alto in the choir. Ben and Juanita enjoyed special memories with family and friends at their home in Camas and had fun traveling, camping, boating, exploring new places and spending time at the beach. Juanita was a committed and loving wife to Ben for over 70 years. They enjoyed raising their five children in Camas and possessed great memories and family traditions with their extended family members, their children and spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Juanita was the product of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl which directly impacted her strong work ethic and saving for a rainy day. In her house, her children never got by with saying that they were "bored" or she would quickly find something productive for them to do. Juanita was a true matriarch who possessed a unique personality, a hearty laugh, and was generally very outspoken, where those around her never had to wonder what she was thinking. She was a strong prayer warrior and had the unique ability to inspire others in their journey of faith. Over the past few years, Juanita faced increasing health challenges, but her faith remained strong. Juanita will be greatly missed, but we know that she is with her Lord and Savior, enjoying a special reunion in heaven with family and friends. Survived by her husband, Ben Hochhalter (married 1950); and their five children; Greg (Janeen) Hochhalter, Kay (Chuck) Day, Jeff Hochhalter, Bryan (Karen) Hochhalter and Janelle (Mark) McKay; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and sister, Cheryl (Gordon) Six. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arva and Gladys Stewart; siblings, Virginia (Stewart) Brown, Robert Stewart and Val Stewart. Graveside service was held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Juanita Irene Hochhalter

February 9, 1928 - December 4, 2020