Darrell E. Hosier

Darrell E. Hosier

Darrell E. Hosier, age 86, of Giltner, passed away Monday, March 24, 2025, in Grand Island following a short stay in hospice.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 4th, at the Methodist Church in Giltner where he was a member, with Pastor David Mendyk officiating. Casual dress. Following the service, a luncheon will be provided at the Giltner Community Center. Darrell's wishes were to be cremated. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Giltner Cemetery. No Visitation. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com

Darrell was born October 8, 1938, in Stockham, Nebraska to Donald and Ines (Druba) Hosier. He attended primary school at the Franklin Country School southeast of Giltner through 8th grade before transitioning to Giltner Public School where he graduated in May of 1957.

In high school, Darrell wasn't particularly fond of the structured demands of academics, but he thrived in sports-especially football and track. Music was another of his talents, and he was often sought after to sing at weddings and other special occasions

Early on, Darrell recognized that following his father's footsteps into farming – especially when it meant trudging over mountains of snow to reach the outhouse in the dead of winter because they had no indoor plumbing on the farm - was not the life for him. Instead, following graduation he decided to forge his own path and embarked on his new journey by enlisting in the United States Army in September of 1957.

After completing basic training at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Darrell headed to Fort Eustis, Virginia, for specialized aircraft mechanic training. Once certified, he was stationed in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, where he worked as a mechanic at the international airport. There, he was promoted from Private First Class to Specialist 4 th Class and earned multiple Sharpshooter Badges. His primary role involved maintaining biplanes used to train both U.S. and international pilots and conduct reconnaissance missions, and – on occasion – carry out a "mission" flying over the Eiffel Tower.

When asked once if he had ever flown one of the planes he worked on himself, Darrell flashed his characteristic roguish grin and admitted, "Yes. But I only got the wheels off the ground… and then I set them right back down."

In December 1958, Darrell made a special trip back home to Giltner, Nebraska-but not just for a visit. During those precious two weeks, he married the love of his life, Judith. A few weeks later, in January 1959, Judith joined him in Germany, and together they embraced their European adventure. They lived with a welcoming German family, explored the countryside on weekend trips, and created memories that would last a lifetime. Their greatest joy, however, came shortly before returning home in 1960 when they welcomed their first son, Timothy. If you ever see Judy, be sure to ask her about the time she went shopping for a baby gift while in Germany-it's a story worth hearing!

Darrell was honorably discharged in the summer of 1960 and continued to serve as a Reservist for another 3 years. Upon returning to the United States, he brought his young family back to Giltner to stay. As his family grew to include two more sons and one daughter, so did his ambitions: evolving from a simple farm boy to a self-made businessman and tradesman.

Darrell served the residents of Giltner and surrounding communities as a well-driller, plumber, and electrician with the same sense of duty and honor he had shown in the military. As one of the original "essential workers" he was available 24/7, 365 days a year, no matter the weather or occasion. He understood the assignment, to serve was the mission, and he did so until his retirement in 2017.

During those rare moments of downtime, Darrell found joy in life's simple pleasures like homemade ice cream, tending to his flowers and garden, and fishing on a quiet Sunday afternoon. As the years passed, these cherished pastimes became even more special as he shared them with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, creating memories that will last for generations.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Timothy Hosier; granddaughter, Peyton Quinn and brother & sister-in-law, David & Kathy Hosier.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Judith Hosier of Giltner; two sons, Perry (Carolyn) Hosier of Giltner and Aaron Hosier of Lincoln; daughter, Angela (Robert) Greene of Papillion; 5 grandchildren, Danielle (Hosier) and husband Ryan Champoux, Alexandra (Hosier) and husband Samuel Kuck, Kaitlyn(Hosier) and husband Spencer Quinn, Nathaniel Greene and wife Kayla and Kennedy (Greene) and husband Mitch Marois and 11 great-grandchildren, Tatum, Charleigh, Jaidyn, and Beau Greene, Noelle and Lily Champoux, Cooper, Campbell, Monroe, and Millie Kuck and Braxton Quinn. He is also survived by two sisters, June (Jim) Bowers and Cheryl (Bill) Roach all of Grand Island and many other relatives and friends.

Higby-McQuiston Mortuary