Vern Hoechst

A service livestream will be available at the time of the service at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CBXYeBNKKM

Vern Hoechst, 66, passed away on Sept. 8, 2021.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 17 at First Lutheran Church, 800 N Seventh St, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 16 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck.

Vern was born in Minot on August 3, 1955, the fourth of four children to Verna and Waldo. He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1974 and from the North Dakota School of Science in 1976 with an associate degree in Diesel Mechanics. He met Colleen and in 1976 his first-born, Nicole, was born followed by Lucas in 1977 and Brandon in 1979. In 1982 he married Wanda Baar and in 1994 Rose was born.

Vern was an exceptionally hard worker and was very proud of the life he built with Wanda. In his early career he worked for Burlington Northern until they moved to Bismarck where he worked for Bobcat. Although he was officially retired, he worked various jobs to keep busy, especially after Wanda passed away in 2019. 

He was a dedicated member of the Freedom Riders Motorcycle Club for over 40 years. He loved riding with his club brothers as well as his two sons. He was well respected in the Freedom Riders Club as well as in the motorcycle community across the state.

Vern was an avid collector. His collections included larger items like cars and motorcycles, as well as smaller collectibles such as Budweiser memorabilia and cans, stamps, coins and hot wheels. He loved camping, boating, fishing and gardening. He was very handy - he could fix anything.

Vern was grateful to have shared his life with his two daughters, Nikki (Jason) Van Lishout and Rose (Nolan) Schwarz; his sons, Luke (Anne) Hoechst and Brandon Hoechst, all of Bismarck; his grandchildren, Carter, Delaney, Chase, Emersyn, Ethan, Parker, Elise, Jaxson, Eli, Elin; and his newest grandson, Miles; his siblings, Lonnie and Mark (Marlya) Hoechst; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved cat, Sassy.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda; his parents and stepfather, Waldo, Verna, and Edwin; and his brother, Rick Hoechst.