John Hoberg

John Winfield Hoberg was born on a farm southeast of Butterfield, Minnesota, on February 10, 1929. He passed from this life on March 31, 2008, at his residence in Lake Crystal, Minnesota. He was 79 years old.John attended Butterfield public schools, graduating in May 1947. In the fall of 1947 he enrolled in Mankato State. On November 8, 1948, John enlisted in the U.S. Army and was accepted into the 10th Infantry Division Band at Fort Riley, Kansas, later transferring to Washington D.C. He was stationed at the Far East Command Headquarters in Japan from October 1952 to September 1953, serving as a noncommissioned officer in the Personnel Division. Attaining the rank of Sergeant (T), John received an honorable discharge on October 14, 1953. He returned to the Mankato area, attending Mankato State and working as a reporter for The Free Press.John had several careers. He was advertising manager for Kato Engineering for many years, taking their generators and equipment to trade shows, and was editor of the Kato Engineering News. He owned and operated the Pioneer House in Good Thunder and had a shoe repair shop in West Mankato. Within the framework of Blue Earth County Social Services, he provided a home for handicapped adult men.Preceding him in death were his parents, Sidney and Cora (Anderson) Hoberg; sister Joan Hoberg Fraser, and brother-in-law Alexander Fraser. He is survived by his sister, Mary Lou Hoberg Connor, St. Joseph, Missouri; nieces Dee Jaye Miles and husband Robert; Monroe, Wisconsin, Anne Morgan and husband Jimmy, Glasgow, Scotland; Dr. John Fraser and wife Deborah, Roanoke, Virginia; Ross Fraser, Hoffman Estates, Illinois; three great-nieces and three great-nephews.A memorial service and inurnment with military honors will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 1:00 pm at the Kansas Lake Lutheran cemetery. A time for socializing and memories will follow. Mankato Mortuary handled local arrangements.