Jerry Allen Hohnbaum

1939 - 2024

Jerry Allen Hohnbaum

October 15, 1939 - August 5, 2024

On Aug. 5, 2024, Jerry Allen Hohnbaum peacefully passed away at the age of 84. He is now at rest with his beloved Becky and will join her in the Columbarium of the Resurrection Atrium at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior.

Jerry Allen Hohnbaum, the son of Kenneth Vernon and Lucile (Downer) Hohnbaum, was born on Oct. 15, 1939, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was raised in York where he graduated from York High School. At age 13, Jerry began playing the organ for the Baptist Congregational Church, thus beginning his music career.

Jerry earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University and his Master of Music Degree in Organ from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he was a student of Myron J. Roberts. Jerry later studied in Belgium with the noted composer, Flor Peeters.

On June 4, 1960, Jerry was united in marriage to Mary Rebecca "Becky" Lee in Lexington. The couple adopted David Allen and were foster parents to Harry Stephen Mahanes. They were together for 62 years when Becky passed away in 2022.

Jerry had a great love for music; he was a full-time music director in several churches and a professional concert organist. While working full-time, he specialized in churches with multiple choir programs and served as an organist-choirmaster in Nebraska, Texas, Missouri, Alabama and Virginia.

In 1977 the Hohnbaums settled in North Platte; Becky taught grade school and tutored as Jerry continued with his music. Jerry was organist-choirmaster for the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, of which he was a member, St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He was the organist for First Presbyterian Church and taught piano.

Jerry's full-time music career came to an end when he suffered from hearing loss, but as one door closed another opened. Jerry went on to work for the good of the hard of hearing in Western Nebraska. He was a member of the National Board of Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People and the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, where he also served a term as chair. Jerry was instrumental in establishing an office for the Nebraska Commission in North Platte to serve Western Nebraska. In 2004, Jerry received the Rocky Stone National Humanitarian Award for his work with hard-of-hearing people by S.H.H.H.

Along with his wife, Becky, Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Lucile Hohnbaum; sister and brother-in-law, Georgia and Don Jones; brother-in-law, Daniel Apple; and in-laws, Frank and Mary Lee.

Survivors include his son, David Hohnbaum; foster son, Steve (Connie) Mahanes; grandchildren, Erik (Kellie) Mahanes and Michael Mahanes; great-grandchildren, Lucas and Clayton; his sister, Gale Hohnbaum Apple; brother, Bill Hohnbaum; and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Grace Ministries Food Pantry. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Service is at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior. Jerry will then be placed in the Columbarium alongside his beloved Becky. The memorial book may be signed at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements.