Obituary of Alice Hoecker

November 13, 1927 - July 11, 2015 Alice Hoecker, 87 was born November 13, 1927, in Corvallis, Oregon, to Joseph and Thurza Russell. She had five siblings. The family owned and operated the Russell Chicken Hatchery, a business, in Corvallis. Alice attended Corvallis schools. She attended Oregon Agriculture College (later OSU). While there at OAC, she volunteered to work in the Extension 4H summer camp program where, she met Dale Hoecker. They dated, grew in love and were married June 28, 1947, at First Christian Church, Corvallis. After honeymooning in Victoria, Canada, they moved to Astoria, where Dale worked as an Agricultural Extension Agent. The couple’s four children were born in Astoria. In 1955, Dale and Alice moved their young family to Brazil, where Dale had taken an Agriculture Advisory position, for the U.S. Government. During the eight years they were there, the family lived in Sao Paulo, Recife, and Fortaleza. The family returned to visit the United States several times during those years, traveling by car from the east coast to west coast, visiting national sites, relatives and friends along the way. In 1963, the family moved back to the U.S., to Medford, Oregon. One year later, they moved to Junction City. Alice attended University of Oregon, earning her Bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate. She taught special education at the elementary level. In 1969, Alice and Dale moved to Ankara, Turkey for two years, where Dale worked as an Ag. Advisor. Upon returning from that project, the couple moved to Warm Springs, where Alice taught elementary school. The couple began retirement in Madras, OR. In 1985 they moved to Eugene, to be closer to family. In 1995, the couple established the Dale and Alice Hoecker Endowment Awards Fund, and the Dale and Alice Hoecker Awards Fund to help support OSU Extension and the work of OSU Extension Agents. Alice’s many talents included being a wonderful cook, often preparing foreign dishes. As an artist she enjoyed painting in oils and acrylics. She sewed and made quilts and garments for her family. She liked to do bead work and she collected pretty jewelry. As a writer, she wrote short stories and poetry. She enjoyed pretty gardens and flowers. She pampered her two dogs, Charlie and Clementine. Most importantly, she loved her family and friends! She had nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and one great-great grand child. She loved being with her friends from Echo Hollow Pool, where she swam regularly. Alice, an adventurer, had a passion for traveling. She enjoyed the people, cultures, sites, cuisines and handicrafts of many countries around the world. She had many friends in many countries. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, in 1995, her parents and all of her siblings. Her surviving family are her children, Nancy Hoecker, of Springfield; Kenneth Hoecker, of Albany; Gary Hoecker, of Happy Valley; and Carol Souder, Eugene. Grandchildren: Teresa Jerman, Highland, IL, Kristi Isaac, Portland, Alicia McCallen, Mesa, AZ, Jered Souder, Eugene; Matthew Hoecker, Eugene; Brendan Sweek, Lake Oswego; Daniel Hoecker, Rickreall; Kimmee Hoecker, Portland; and Kelli Hoecker, a missionary for a year in Chaing Mai, Thailand. Also surviving are the spouses of her children and grandchildren, in addition to her great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. There will be a memorial service held: Saturday July 25th, at 2:00 p.m., at Eugene Christian Fellowship, 89780 Game Farm Rd., Eugene, OR. Condolences may be sent to 2280 W. 28th Ave., Eugene, OR 97405. Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary.