Paul Sylvester Hostert

A Funeral Mass for Paul Hostert, age 91, of Butte will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte with a burial to follow in the Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Butte with Military Honors provided by the Butte American Legion Post 51. Father Bernard Starman will officiate. Visitation will be at from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte with a 7 pm Knights of Columbus Rosary. Paul passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025 at the Accura Care Center in O'Neill. Memorials may be directed to his family for future designation. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer.

Paul Sylvester Hostert was born June 29, 1934 to Nicholas and Theresia (Hahn) Hostert in Butte, Nebraska. He was the third of six brothers. Paul attended Sts Peter & Paul Catholic School through the eighth grade. Paul went on to earn his GED.

Paul then started helping on the family farm and also worked at the Butte Sale Barn. While working at the sale barn, Paul met Jan Bigler, one of the waitresses at the sale barn and they started dating. At the age of 21, Paul joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Alaska, where he worked as a code breaker. Paul and Jan sent many letters back and forth while he was away, including one special letter that Paul sent with an engagement ring in it. When he returned on leave, Paul and Jan got married on July 15, 1957 at the Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte. The couple quickly moved to Petaluma, California, where Paul was stationed. Their daughter Julie was born there.

After being Honorably Discharged from the U.S. Army, the family returned to Butte where Lori and Connie were born. Paul worked on the farm and at the sale barn, helped area farmers when they needed it, and worked as a meat cutter at the grocery store in Butte.

Paul was a proud father. His daughter Lori, who was handicapped, was the center of their family. He carried her to many events, built her a custom wheelchair, and in later years, he and Jan started a Christmas Program for the Region IV clients where she resided. The family continued this Christmas tradition for many years to follow.

Paul was a charter member of Knights of Columbus Council #3720 and was an active member for 72 years. He was also a 4th degree member. He was a 55-year member of the Butte American Legion Wills Post 51, and was also a lifelong member of the Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church.

He enjoyed playing cards, cribbage, and board games. Paul enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, reading the paper and watching Wheel of Fortune. He was an avid Husker fan, enjoyed playing family baseball, eating popcorn from the biggest bowl, eating ice cream, wood working, and visiting the Crazy Horse Memorial. Paul loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Paul is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jan Hostert of Butte, NE; his daughters, Julie (Jeff) Schuerman of Butte, NE, Connie (Matt) Richardson of Lincoln, NE; four grandchildren, Jamie (Derek) Hoyle, Jennifer (Caleb Compton) Allen, Nathan (Heylee Shields) Richardson, Josh Richardson; three great grandchildren, Maddie Hoyle, Noah Hoyle, Ava Compton; brothers, Gene Hostert of Butte, NE, Lou (Audrey) Hostert of Omaha, NE, Joe (Mary Jo) Hostert of Butte, NE; sister-in-law, Norma Hostert of Butte; many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Nicholas and Theresia Hostert; daughter, Lori Hostert; two infant siblings, Lucille Hostert and Bernard Hostert; two brothers, Hank Hostert and Len Hostert; sisters-in-law, Jackie Hostert and Ruth Hostert; niece, Anne Hostert.