Obituary of Katherine Hooge

January 13, 1926 – March 19, 2020 Katherine Hooge passed away peacefully on March 19, 2020 with family at her bedside, at the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home. Katherine (known to many as Tena) was born a half mile west of Rosthern to Jacob and Agatha (Siemens) Hamm, on January 13, 1926. Mom always said she was “born on the 13th day of the 13th month”. She was the twelfth member of a family of 14 children. Mom spent a happy childhood on the farm. The Hamm family moved to a farmyard one mile north of Rosthern and operated Hamm’s Dairy. It was from this farm that she and her brothers walked to school together. Mom attended elementary school in Rosthern to grade 8, German school on Saturday mornings, and completed her grade 9 at the German English Academy (now Rosthern Junior College). In 1940, the family purchased an 80 acre farm one mile west of Rosthern, just west of the farmyard where mom was born. There was always much work to do on the farm, and with WW II breaking out, she could not finish high school. She and her youngest two brothers, George and Reuben helped on the farm. In 1944 she was baptized upon the confession of her faith, in the Rosthern Mennonite Church by Bishop David Toews who conducted his final class that year, assisted by Rev. John G Rempel. Katherine was married in 1952 to Peter P. Hooge. Together Mom and Dad built a life in Rosthern that included raising three children, Edith, Marian and Peter. Mom filled the home with goodness, demonstrating an unwavering faith in her God, and love for others. Mom loved music and became interested in the piano at a young age. Perched from the piano bench with her feet not yet reaching the floor, she started piano lessons, and was soon playing the hymns of the church. The house fire in 1939 destroyed the piano, and interrupted her lessons for several years before money was available to purchase another piano. She continued lessons for many years with Louise Toews, Walter Thiessen and Carman Lasky. Later in life as a wife and mother she continued lessons with Garth Beckett, Deloris Loewen and finished her Grade X piano with Dr. Lyell Gustin in Saskatoon. She taught piano for many years and enjoyed the children coming to the house. The children that might not have enjoyed taking piano lessons as much, enjoyed fresh baking after a lesson that kept them coming back. She also served many churches throughout Rosthern as pianist and organist, and loved to play piano while her younger brother Reuben sang. Mom also enjoyed singing in choirs and small groups. She was an original member of the Rosthern Station Singers, and served on the Sask Valley Music Festival Association for many years. Mom volunteered on numerous community and church organizations, most notably her church ladies aid group called The Willing Helpers. Many hours were spent quilting, crocheting, knitting, sewing, cooking, baking, gardening, canning and so much more. The results were either treasures to be cherished or delicious food to be shared. Mom was a people person, and loved to visit and connect with friends and strangers. Beyond the work in the home, she also took on work outside her home. These jobs gave her much fulfilment as they typically involved working with people. At the Rosthern Dairy Pool, mom was initially trained as an egg grader and then worked her way to the office. Here she could deal directly with the sellers and the buyers of the milk, cream and egg products. She also worked as a sales clerk at Friesens gift shop and Sears mail order service, served as the local correspondent at the Sask Valley News, and worked 15 years at the Rosthern Hospital, where the work was physically demanding at times, but she loved having people around her and made friends with staff, patients and visitors. Mom also enjoyed travelling, with most of her trips taking place after Dad passed away in 1992. Overseas destinations included Brazil, Great Britain, Indonesia, Laos and Australia, and she enjoyed numerous bus tours to Alaska, USA, the Maritimes, Victoria, Abbotsford and Kamloops. Mom was predeceased by her husband Peter, her parents Jacob and Agatha, her nine brothers, Pete, Jake, Dave, John, Abe, Henry, Bill, George and Reuben, and four sisters Elizabeth (Schapansky), Helen (Dyck), Agatha (Dyck) and Susie. Mom is survived by her children, Edith (Ron) Regehr, Marian Hooge Jones, and Peter (Diane) Hooge, her grandchildren and great grandchildren Dinho (Marnie) Regehr, Riley, Burke, Jaden, Connor; Robyn (Kristina) Regehr, Wyatt, Shane; Ritchie Regehr; Marlie (Ben) Leis, Simon, Eric; Kobi (David) Adams, Jacob, William; Ben Jones; Hannah (Drew) Brooks, Micah; Sarah (Lee) Warkentin, Ethan; Erika (Ivan) Gaudet; Emily Hooge (Luke Zakreski); Lauren Hooge; sisters-in-law Hilda Hamm and Caroline Smudy; and many relatives and friends. We will miss you Mom. The family is appreciative of the excellent and compassionate care Mom received over the past two years at the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home. A small family burial took place on March 21, 2020 at the Rosthern Cemetery. A public celebration of life will be held at a later date, after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. Memorial donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee SK, (Centennial Projects), Rosthern Junior College or Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home.