Merle Hojio

Merle Hojio, 92, of Greeley, passed away on September 12, 2012. He was born August 1, 1920 in Gering, Nebraska to Joe and Maud-Mays-Hojio. Merle was educated in Bridgeport, Nebraska. He married Diana M. Hirsch on July 5, 1947 in Sterling, Colorado.

Merle grew up on his dad’s farm in Nebraska during the Great Depression and used those lessons in his chosen field of farming. He had a passion for raising sugar beets and believed placement of fertilizer and chemicals was more important than broadcast rates per acre. He developed practices for more efficient production, which included ridge planting, banding fertilizer and more efficient methods of applying herbicides and insecticides forty years before they became recognized. He took pride in setting up cultivators for sugar beets and beans that could travel 4 – 5 miles per hour and leave a one inch block of soil minimizing the need for herbicides and insecticides. He was honored as high sugar producer for 13 years.

Merle served in the US Army from 1945 – 1946. He was assigned to 611 Quartermaster Graves Registration Company, assigned to disinterment and reburial of American Soldiers. Merle took great pride in being his company commander’s personal driver. He was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Germany.

Merle was a founding member of the Bank of Windsor and served on the board of directors from 1978- 1982.

Following his retirement from farming, Merle enjoyed gardening, coupon shopping, playing his guitar and watching westerns on television.

Merle is survived by his loving daughters, Sandra Sayles and son-in-law Bill, Susan Lehr and son-in-law Mike, granddaughter April Schwartz, great grandchildren Tyler and Morgan, Brother Roy Hojio and several nieces and nephews.

Merle was preceded in death by his wife, Diana, parents Joe and Maud Hojio, and Brothers Bill Hojio and Paul Hojio.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Stoddard Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Stoddard Funeral Home. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northern Colorado, in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634.

Please visit www.stoddardsunset.com to sign online guestbook.