Benjamin F. Hormel

Thursday, October 17, 2002

Benjamin F. Hormel, 88, died Tuesday (Oct. 15, 2002) at Bickford Cottage in Lincoln.

He was born Jan. 19, 1914, in Austin, Minn., to Benjamin Franklin and Flora Mae (Kaufman) Hormel, Sr. He grew up at Austin and graduated from Principia Upper School at St. Louis, Mo. He attended college at Grinell, Iowa, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1937.

On Feb. 25, 1937, he married Thalma I. Lowe at Plainview. They came to McCook in 1938, where he owned and operated the Hormel Chevrolet Dealership. On June 15, 1944, he entered the U.S. Navy serving during World War II. He returned to McCook following his honorable discharge and returned to his business. He retired in 1980.

On Sept. 5, 1987, he married Fritzi (Hinkle) Prest in McCook.

He was a member of the First Church of Christ Scientist, the McCook Masonic Lodge No. 135 AF&AM, all Masonic Bodies in McCook, the Tehama Shrine in Hastings and the McCook Elks Lodge No. 1434. He served on the McCook Board of Education from 1947 to 1961. He was a past Director of Rotary International, past president of McCook Rotary Club, a former director of the YMCA and the United Fund. He also organized the Crime Stoppers organization in McCook and served on the McCook City Council.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Thalma in 1986; and two sisters, Virginia Grounds and Lois Lyons.

Survivors include his wife, Fritzi Hormel of McCook; two daughters, Anabeth (Frazier) and husband, Ted Cox and Mary Sue and husband, Bill Harris, all of Lincoln; two step-children, Bob Prest and wife, Janet of Phoenix, Ariz., and Billie and husband, John Rouzee of North Platte; four grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 14 step-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be Saturday, 11 a.m., at the Herrmann Memorial Chapel with Theresa Corder officiating. Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook.

Memorials may be given to the Ben Hormel Family Foundation, PO Box 918, McCook, NE 69001 or left at the funeral home.

Herrmann Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of arrangements.