Myron Hoeckle – October 7, 2020

Myron Newton Hoeckle was born on February 29, 1932 on the family farm near Pingree, ND to Phillip J. and Elta E. (Claar) Hoeckle, the last of twelve children. He grew up and attended school at Edmunds and Pingree, ND and attended the University of Jamestown. On September 29, 2000 he married Patricia L. McPherson and retired and moved to Jamestown, ND in 2003. Patricia passed away suddenly on January 12, 2007.

Myron was a farmer and rancher his entire life, working on the Hoeckle family ranch located on the West bank of the Pipestone River in Stutsman County, ND. He eventually operated over 5700 acres and built a substantial ranch averaging a herd of over 400, including registered Hereford and Hereford Friesian cross stock. His herd was selected by the Pioneer Cattle Company for breeding trials, and his steers and heifers received many Grand Champion or Reserve Champion awards.

Myron was a charter member of the National Cattlemen’s Association, the American Hereford Association and the North Dakota Hereford Association. He served on the Beef Industry Council for twelve years, as well as serving on the Advisory Board of the North Dakota Stockman’s Association.

Myron was named Range Manager of the Year by the North Dakota Range Management & Society in 1979, and Seedstock Producer of the Year for the North Dakota Beef Improvement Federation. He received the Alumni Association Agriculturist Award from North Dakota State University and hosted the North Dakota Hereford Association tour in 1977 and hosted a Swedish Agricultural Expert in cooperation with NDSU in 1978. Myron also served as a judge for numerous Hereford shows, steer shows and feeder shows in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota, as well as the Hereford Expo Show nationally. He also received the American Tree Farm System award.

The Hoeckle Ranch was the 1974 winner of the Soil Conservation Achievement award. Myron had some definite ideas about range management, soil conservation, and grass production. Since the majority of the ranch was of sandy soils, producing grass was in the best interest of conservation. Myron believed in a good grazing system of deferment rotation, and rest rotation. You would always find plenty of forage on the Hoeckle rangelands. With the use of dikes, seeding of tame grasses, pasture renovation, controlled run-off and planting of trees, Myron had every right to be proud of his ranch. You often heard Myron say, “It was well worth it, when I can sit and watch the newborn calves kick up their heels.” Myron later served 10 years on the Stutsman County Soil Conservation Board from January 1980 to 1990.

Myron was involved in 4-H club work and the livestock area of the Stutsman County Fair for many years. Myron provided many of the 4-H club calves and assisted 4-H organizations whenever he could.

Myron enjoyed music, singing with the N. E. McCoy’s on their radio program, with the Jamestown Choralaires, the Bismarck/Mandan Men’s Choralaires and at numerous community, church and funeral services. He also served as Chairman of the Board for the Fuller (Beulah) Bible Camp Association for many years, Chair of Pingree Cemetery Association, Member of Advisory Board for Congregational Church of Pingree and President of Men of Vision Club.

He survived by step daughters Paula (Bill) Lavelle, Horace; Dawn Grindahl, Fargo; Kelli (Kelly) Heier, Ray, ND; 10 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews and great grand-nieces and nephews.

Myron was preceded in death by his parents; wife Patricia, brothers, Glenn, Walter, Leonard, Wesley and Bruce and sisters Violet Brandt, Myrtle Hoeckle, Opal Redwine, Loretta Butts, Viola Hoeckle, Audrey Anwiler.

Family will receive guests from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM, Sunday, October 11, 2020 at First Church of the Nazarene with a prayer service at 6:30 PM at church. Funeral Service will be 10:00 AM, Monday, October 12 at First Church of the Nazarene, Jamestown with Pastor Jim Kraemer officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials to McCoy Ministries, Jamestown Hospice and First Church of the Nazarene.

Arrangements are in the care of Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown.