Hessie Jochum

Harold Charles 'Hessie' Jochum, age 85, of Sutherland, NE, died Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE, following an accident at home.

Hessie was born April 15, 1931, to John and Katherine Jochum at Sutherland where he lived most of his life. Hessie grew up on the family farm southwest of Sutherland and attended District 19 Sunshine Country School until the 7th grade when he went to Sutherland Public School.

Hessie farmed the family farm until joining the U.S. Army in January 1952. He completed basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO then went to Ft. Kilmer in New Jersey for more schooling. In July, Hessie was sent to Mannheim, Germany for the next 18 months. Following his discharge in January 1954, Hessie returned to Sutherland and took over the family farm from his father.

On June 25, 1952, Hessie was united in marriage to Colleen Anne Dawson in Sutherland and they made their home on the farm. After the family farm was sold in 1966, they purchased a house in town, and Hessie started an independent trucking business where he hauled grain. In 1980 he bought the Forden Service Station and Tank Wagon then sold it in 1983 and went back to the trucking business, hauling grain and fertilizer.

Hessie was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a 63 year member of American Legion Otto V. Johnson Post #208. He enjoyed working on small engines, restoring Cushman Motor Scooters, gardening, and watching sports. He also liked watching stock car races and his son, Scott, doing motocross racing and in his younger days enjoyed dancing and bowling. Hessie always enjoyed drinking coffee at the Co-op.

Hessie especially loved his family and enjoyed teaching his kids and many of their friends to water-ski. In 2015 Hessie was an honored guest on the Veterans' Honor Flight which allowed him and fellow veterans to visit Arlington National Cemetery and all the war memorials in Washington, D.C.

Hessie is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Colleen, of Sutherland; their children, Mike (Nancy) Jochum, of Beatrice, Tom (LeAnn) Jochum, of Axtell, NE, Nancy James, of Gering, NE, Katherine (Darin) Kipp, of Haxtun, CO, and Scott (Brenda) Jochum, of Kearney; 13 grandchildren, Jared (Julie) Jochum, Benjamin (Michelle) Jochum, Nathaniel (Missy) Jochum, Micaela (Brian) Vrtiska, Julie Jochum, Rebecca Jochum, John Robert Jochum, Derek James, Sarah (Cody) Chikos, Brandon Ogier, Sabra Kipp, Zach Jochum and Katelynn Jochum; eight great-grandchildren, Hunter, Emma, Olivia, Micah, Maddison, Colton, Karly and Kiera; sisters-in-law, Arlene Jochum, of Sutherland and Marie Jochum, of Eugene, OR; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen Jochum; parents, John and Katherine; brothers Don, Walter, Lawrence 'Bud', Joseph and John 'Ed' Jochum; an infant sister, Bernadette; and grandson, Eric James.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore and with family greeting friends from 5 to 6 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland followed by a Christian Wake Service at 6 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Celebrant Father Jim Novakowski. Burial with military honors will follow in the Riverview Cemetery south of Sutherland.

Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorial are suggested to Otto V. Johnson Post #208. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.