Remember

DON HOCKETT

  • June 11, 1936 - August 18, 2012
  • ESTHERVILLE, Iowa
Share This Obituary

Memories & Candles

“Dear Arlene and family... Our Reeves family sends sympathy to you all. Don was a special friend and cowboy at Riverdale Ranch. As a little girl,...Read More » ”
1 of 10 | Posted by: Maureen Reeves Horsley - IA

“Your special moments and memories will never change. They will be in your hearts today and forever. Thinking of you with deepest sympathy. ”
2 of 10 | Posted by: Sandy & Verlyn Sunde - IA

“Dear Hockett family, Don was a former classmate of mine at EHS and the only genuine cowboy that I ever knew. I will always remember him for his...Read More » ”
3 of 10 | Posted by: Don Johnson - Estherville, IA

“Lori & Family: So sorry for your loss, thinking of you during this time. ”
4 of 10 | Posted by: Sheryl McKevitt

“Yes, Don could talk. We'd often visit & stay until the sun went down listening to Don tell his many stories. He would take us out in "Blondy's" old...Read More » ”
5 of 10 | Posted by: Michele Lynch - Newell, IA

“Don loved his family & his horses! Not only was he a "cowboy"; he was a true "horseman"! I'll miss stopping to see him & talking horses! Bernie &...Read More » ”
6 of 10 | Posted by: Bernie & Sherry Janssen - Dunnell, MN

“Don loved his family & his horses! Not only was he a "cowboy"; he was a true "horseman"! I'll miss stopping to see him & talking horses! Bernie &...Read More » ”
7 of 10 | Posted by: Bernie & Sherry Janssen - Dunnell, MN

“Terry and the Hockett Family.......You are in our thoug and prayers. Your dad and Doug can now enjoy pizza a conversation again ”
8 of 10 | Posted by: Scott and Becky Olk and Connie Anderson

“To Don Hockett Families: We are very sorry to have heard of Don's passing. Knew he was not in good health. Always seen him around town and sometimes...Read More » ”
9 of 10 | Posted by: Dennis Brosh/Linda Minton

“Sorry for your loss, but we know tha Don is in heaven riding his horse in no more pain. ”
10 of 10 | Posted by: Peggy and Bob Manwarren - IA


Click Here to Send Flowers

Don Hockett, 76, passed away Saturday August 18, 2012, at Avera Holy Family Health in Estherville, Iowa. He was the son of Arnold and Margaret (Brandt) Hockett. He was born June 11, 1936, in Estherville, Iowa.

On December 7, 1958, he was united in marriage to Arlene Ruth (Christian) Hockett at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, south of Gruver. The couple lived and worked on a farm. Don farmed, helping his Dad for several years. Together they bought and sold horses. Don was known for his great ability to break horses. Don raised paint and quarter horses all of his life. His love for horses was his first love and truly great passion. Don always said he should have been born 100 years sooner when horse and buggy were the main means of transportation and life was simpler. He decided the first day of school that he did not like it. At the age of 6 the bus stopped to pick him up, Don took one look around, didn't like what he saw, so he told the bus driver he had to get back off the bus. Needless to say a little spanking and a ride to school in the car, he made it thru the first day, but ended his schooling in the 11th grade, much happier riding horses out in the great outdoors.

In 1958, Don joined the PRCA working the rodeo circuit, working many of Bob Barnes stock contractor rodeos. In our pickup and homemade camper, we as a family traveled many weekends. That was an adventure never to forget. Don entered all 5 events - bulls, bareback, saddle bronc, bull dogging and roping, eventually cutting down to one entry...bulldogging. One winter Don had a creamery route picking up milk for Estherville Creamery. He had some amazing stories to tell... yes, Don could talk. In 1976, he began driving Winnebago motor homes out of Forrest City, Iowa. In 1985, Arlene joined him in driving, so with the motor homes they traveled 48 states and Canada. In the summer their 3 grandchildren traveled with them. This was an awesome time for us all. Don and Arlene called those the "Golden Years" and Don continued to drive until retiring in 2004.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene; one son, Terry Hockett; one daughter, Lori Wier and her husband Jerry; grandaughters, Amy Guthrie and her special friend, Shawn Friesner, Suzy Keirsey and her husband, Austin; one grandson, Billy Myers; three great granddaughters, Makayla, Jaden, and Aisley; one sister, Jean Hockett Blair and her husband Tom; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant daughter, Gloria Marie.

SEARCH OTHER SOURCES