Karl Erik Hostman

Karl Erik Hostman—

Karl Erik Hostman passed peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, in his Lovelock, Nevada, home. He was 92 years old. Karl was born to Erik Vilhelm Hostman and Edit Irene Strom Hostman in Lovelock, Nevada, on December 8, 1932. He was raised on the family farm in Upper Valley, which would continue to be one of the most important parts of his life. His childhood was spent raising chickens, turkeys, pigs, growing potatoes, and many other crops that were sold to area mining communities during World War II. 

Karl was one of the last students to attend the old Fairview School in Upper Valley for his elementary years. He was a very involved student and graduated from Pershing County High School in 1950. After graduation, he attended what was then known as Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, Utah, and ultimately studied education. During his time in Logan, he met his sweetheart, Dolores Anita Schreiter, on January 26, 1951. They were married September 17, 1954, at her parents’ house in Salt Lake City and later they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple. He taught school in Dragerton Utah, Elko, and finally Lovelock, Nevada. He also drove a school bus during this time as a teacher. In Lovelock, he helped his mother with the family farm after his father's passing. It was during the busy summers that he went back to Logan, Utah to get his Masters degree in School Administration from Utah State University. This led to becoming Principal of Lovelock Elementary School where he was known as a kind, compassionate leader with a paddle hanging on the wall.

Karl and Dolores were able to travel to Finland, Sweden, and Germany several times where they were able to visit and build relationships with relatives. Being a child of immigrant parents, these trips held significant and memorable experiences. He also found pleasure in the simple things. Card games, sharing jokes, and making others smile. The outdoors were important to Karl. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and sharing the outdoors with his children and grandchildren.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He always instilled the importance of choosing the right and living in a way that brought pride to one’s family name. Karl enjoyed his time working in the Reno, Nevada Temple with his wife Dolores. He loved to work hard and make sure that all of his family members were also working hard. He took great pride in his family farm, faithfully tending the land and cows each day until he was no longer able.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Erik and Edit; his baby sister, Elve Sophia Hostman; his son, Brian Gary Hostman; daughter in law, Stacy Jo Hostman; two grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is survived by his wife, Dolores; children: Karl Gordon (Beth), Mark Randall (Sue), Kristin (Rudy), and Susan (Nick), all of Lovelock; 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 5th, 2025, at the Lovelock Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Maple Drive, at 10 am. Burial at Lone Mountain Cemetery will follow.