Lydia Mae Hochstedler was born June 3, 1929, in Kalona, Iowa, the daughter of Sam G. and Elizabeth (Otto) Hochstedler. She attended West Lincoln School. In her youth she accepted Christ and was baptized and became a member of Fairview Mennonite Church. She took L.P.N. nurses training in La Junta, Colo., and a six-month post grad course at Baylor University, Texas.
She worked six years under Northern Light Gospel Mission at Red Lake, Ontario, as a nurse among the First Nations people in several different Bush areas, where mission families lived. Most places were only reached by airplane. During her nursing work she went by boat across the lake to the Indian homes. Lydia attended several six-week Bible Schools or Institutes, one being in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada.
She also spent a year in Costa Rica as a nurse, living by the Caribbean Sea in a house on stilts. The nurses held clinics in several places traveling by a Ladies Honda (motorcycle). When she returned home Lydia worked at Mercy Hospital, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, along with caring for her sisters and ailing father.
In the last few weeks Lydia had become the oldest member of Fairview Mennonite Church. Lydia died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics at the age of 93 years.
Lydia is survived by her six siblings: Martha Helmuth of Kalona, Jonas (Ann) Hochstedler of Kalona, Monroe (Ruby) Hochstedler of Tallahassee, Fla., Darlene (John) Miller of Hutchinson, Kan., Nelson (Lavina) Hochstedler of Winona Lake, Ind., and Viola Hochstedler of Kalona; 39 nieces and nephews; 212 great nieces and nephews; and 270 great-great nieces and nephews; and one great-great-great nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings: Ruth Hochstedler, Cora Hochstedler, Alta Fern Kropf, J. Wesley Hochstedler, Verna Hochstedler, Mary Alice Hochstedler and Lovina Hochstedler.
Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at Fairview Mennonite Church near Kalona. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for Water for Life. Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona is caring for the family. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powwllfuneralhomes.com
