RONAN - The Denver Broncos have lost one of their biggest and most loyal fans. Dan (Dan Ho) Hochhalter passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, from injuries suffered in a vehicle accident.
Born May 12, 1970, to Stan and Susan Hochhalter in Ellendale, N.D., Dan's boyhood years were spend in Ellendale. In 1984, he moved to Ronan with his dad and big sister, Stacy. It was here he grew to manhood and formed close bonds with many friends and classmates. Those bonds endure today.
Always up for an adventure, Dan could be counted on for another duck or pheasant hunt with Dad or his buddies. Following graduation from high school, Dan enlisted in the Army. It was during his service to our country he became acquainted with the southern area of the U.S. Following his discharge from the Army he and many of his friends from the Army settled in Eunice, La., and it's where he continued to make his home.
Nicknamed Woody by his Louisiana friends and adopted "families," he enjoyed his career working on offshore oil rigs, a job which also took him to various parts of Central and South America. Wherever Dan went, he made friends and treasured those he worked with and was interested in their cultures and traditions. He would take them Montana souvenirs and received many unique gifts in return. In Louisiana, he and one of his best friends, Jeff, spent much of their spare time sharing and preparing for their stockcar racing hobby. His Louisiana friends and "family" loved him, and he loved them in return; they were always an important part of his life.
Dan loved coming back to Ronan and connecting with family and friends. He kept his buddies entertained with his "Stanley" stories and gladly shared the treadmill rescue tale with a twinkle in his eye. He consistently quoted his Dad's words of wisdom and reminded his friends of "everything in moderation." Although his love of the Broncos was never a money-making proposition as attested to by his friends and family, he never gave up on his team and continued to gather great memorabilia. It didn't matter what time of year he visited Ronan he was ready for a fourwheelin' adventure, "I don't think I can hold on at that speed" or snowmobiling in the mountains, "Good God, how fast does a man need to go across the snow!"
Dan never thought too much about healthy foods and was somewhat perplexed by the bags of "green grass" Stan and Joy brought home from the grocery store. He countered their efforts with his own trip to the store fully believing hot dogs, pork 'n beans, Twinkles and Oreos were "real food."
With his hat always tipped back at just the right angle and that sparkle in his eye, Dan found humor no matter what the situation. In a recent discussion with his friends about many of them turning 40 and maybe they should change some of their habits, he told them he'd spend the next 20 years "thinking about it."
Dan really enjoyed the father-daughter bond he and Jacinda found and was especially proud of his granddaughter, Saphria Carpentier.
Dan is survived by his dad and stepmom, Stan and Joy Hochhalter of Ronan; his mom Susan Pope, and brothers Jackson and Gabriel of Big Sky; sister Stacy (Bobbi) Hochhalter, and their children Tanner and Alex, of Hamilton, Mo.; daughter Jacinda Carpentier and granddaughter Saphria Carpentier, of Polson; step-sister Sarah Morell and her children, Nic, Andrew and Dylan, of Missoula; step-brother Steve (Brenda) Morell, and their children, Tristan and Shelby of Nixa, Mo.
Dan is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in addition to a host of friends all across the U.S.
Memorial services for Dan will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in Faith Lutheran church, 406 Fifth Ave. SW, Ronan, with Pastor Rand Drollman officiating. Another memorial service will be held in Eunice at a later date to be announced.
What a great time. Thanks Steph, Kris, Kathy, and Colleen for meeting up with Karla and I. We had a great time catching up with you all. I appreciate the fact that you all had to go to work the next morning, but stayed out for dinner and drinks. I cant believe that you all live in Vegas and that was the first time you all got together. You can count on us calling again when we come back to Vegas.
Take Care
Jon