The oldest son of Helmuth Emil "Elmer" Hoelzel and Maude Holdman, Benno was born at Bonne Terre Hospital in Bonne Terre, St. Francois County, Missouri.
He was raised on the farm in Melzo, Jefferson County, Missouri that originally belonged to his paternal grandparents, Moritz and Selma Hoelzel. Moritz and his brother built a rock house on the property in the 1890's, but it was very heavily damaged by a tornado in April of 1911. In 1924, Benno's father built a home in front of and just up the hill from the remains of the original house. Benno spent his childhood and nearly his entire adult life there.
Like his father, Benno dedicated himself to the hard life of a farmer. The family made-do with few modern conveniences over the years. His mother prepared meals on a beautiful, old-fashioned wood-burning stove--the kind with an oven and wide cook-top--even after the house was eventually hooked up to electricity.
After his father retired, Benno still ran the farm, maintained their meager assortment of equipment and cared for the few animals they raised. He and his mother continued to live on their 40-acre farm together after his dad died in 1982. Benno's mother lived until 1995, when she passed away just a few months before what would have been her 100th birthday. He remained on the farm for a number of years after that.
He was known for his quiet demeanor and reserved disposition. Though naturally on the shy side, he was a good story-teller when given the opportunity. For many years after his parents were gone, he regularly wrote out a few annual Christmas cards and letters to family members who lived out of town.
As his health began to decline, Benno was no longer able to run the family farm single-handedly. When he was in his early 80s, he became a resident at Baisch Nursing Home in De Soto, where he was very happy and content to spend his retirement years enjoying modern comforts and the company of others. He never married.
Benno was under hospice care towards the end of his life. His death came at the nursing home on the morning of 04 Feb 2021, just 11 days after he had celebrated his 93rd birthday.
He was survived by 2 brothers and 1 sister-in-law; 4 nieces and 1 nephew; cousins; and many extended family members.
At his request, there was no visitation and no funeral services were conducted.
Children: None.
Benno's siblings:
Charles Frederick "Charlie" Hoelzel
Lindell George "Pete" Hoelzel
He was raised on the farm in Melzo, Jefferson County, Missouri that originally belonged to his paternal grandparents, Moritz and Selma Hoelzel. Moritz and his brother built a rock house on the property in the 1890's, but it was very heavily damaged by a tornado in April of 1911. In 1924, Benno's father built a home in front of and just up the hill from the remains of the original house. Benno spent his childhood and nearly his entire adult life there.
Like his father, Benno dedicated himself to the hard life of a farmer. The family made-do with few modern conveniences over the years. His mother prepared meals on a beautiful, old-fashioned wood-burning stove--the kind with an oven and wide cook-top--even after the house was eventually hooked up to electricity.
After his father retired, Benno still ran the farm, maintained their meager assortment of equipment and cared for the few animals they raised. He and his mother continued to live on their 40-acre farm together after his dad died in 1982. Benno's mother lived until 1995, when she passed away just a few months before what would have been her 100th birthday. He remained on the farm for a number of years after that.
He was known for his quiet demeanor and reserved disposition. Though naturally on the shy side, he was a good story-teller when given the opportunity. For many years after his parents were gone, he regularly wrote out a few annual Christmas cards and letters to family members who lived out of town.
As his health began to decline, Benno was no longer able to run the family farm single-handedly. When he was in his early 80s, he became a resident at Baisch Nursing Home in De Soto, where he was very happy and content to spend his retirement years enjoying modern comforts and the company of others. He never married.
Benno was under hospice care towards the end of his life. His death came at the nursing home on the morning of 04 Feb 2021, just 11 days after he had celebrated his 93rd birthday.
He was survived by 2 brothers and 1 sister-in-law; 4 nieces and 1 nephew; cousins; and many extended family members.
At his request, there was no visitation and no funeral services were conducted.
Children: None.
Benno's siblings:
Charles Frederick "Charlie" Hoelzel
Lindell George "Pete" Hoelzel
The oldest son of Helmuth Emil "Elmer" Hoelzel and Maude Holdman, Benno was born at Bonne Terre Hospital in Bonne Terre, St. Francois County, Missouri.
He was raised on the farm in Melzo, Jefferson County, Missouri that originally belonged to his paternal grandparents, Moritz and Selma Hoelzel. Moritz and his brother built a rock house on the property in the 1890's, but it was very heavily damaged by a tornado in April of 1911. In 1924, Benno's father built a home in front of and just up the hill from the remains of the original house. Benno spent his childhood and nearly his entire adult life there.
Like his father, Benno dedicated himself to the hard life of a farmer. The family made-do with few modern conveniences over the years. His mother prepared meals on a beautiful, old-fashioned wood-burning stove--the kind with an oven and wide cook-top--even after the house was eventually hooked up to electricity.
After his father retired, Benno still ran the farm, maintained their meager assortment of equipment and cared for the few animals they raised. He and his mother continued to live on their 40-acre farm together after his dad died in 1982. Benno's mother lived until 1995, when she passed away just a few months before what would have been her 100th birthday. He remained on the farm for a number of years after that.
He was known for his quiet demeanor and reserved disposition. Though naturally on the shy side, he was a good story-teller when given the opportunity. For many years after his parents were gone, he regularly wrote out a few annual Christmas cards and letters to family members who lived out of town.
As his health began to decline, Benno was no longer able to run the family farm single-handedly. When he was in his early 80s, he became a resident at Baisch Nursing Home in De Soto, where he was very happy and content to spend his retirement years enjoying modern comforts and the company of others. He never married.
Benno was under hospice care towards the end of his life. His death came at the nursing home on the morning of 04 Feb 2021, just 11 days after he had celebrated his 93rd birthday.
He was survived by 2 brothers and 1 sister-in-law; 4 nieces and 1 nephew; cousins; and many extended family members.
At his request, there was no visitation and no funeral services were conducted.
Children: None.
Benno's siblings:
Charles Frederick "Charlie" Hoelzel
Lindell George "Pete" Hoelzel
He was raised on the farm in Melzo, Jefferson County, Missouri that originally belonged to his paternal grandparents, Moritz and Selma Hoelzel. Moritz and his brother built a rock house on the property in the 1890's, but it was very heavily damaged by a tornado in April of 1911. In 1924, Benno's father built a home in front of and just up the hill from the remains of the original house. Benno spent his childhood and nearly his entire adult life there.
Like his father, Benno dedicated himself to the hard life of a farmer. The family made-do with few modern conveniences over the years. His mother prepared meals on a beautiful, old-fashioned wood-burning stove--the kind with an oven and wide cook-top--even after the house was eventually hooked up to electricity.
After his father retired, Benno still ran the farm, maintained their meager assortment of equipment and cared for the few animals they raised. He and his mother continued to live on their 40-acre farm together after his dad died in 1982. Benno's mother lived until 1995, when she passed away just a few months before what would have been her 100th birthday. He remained on the farm for a number of years after that.
He was known for his quiet demeanor and reserved disposition. Though naturally on the shy side, he was a good story-teller when given the opportunity. For many years after his parents were gone, he regularly wrote out a few annual Christmas cards and letters to family members who lived out of town.
As his health began to decline, Benno was no longer able to run the family farm single-handedly. When he was in his early 80s, he became a resident at Baisch Nursing Home in De Soto, where he was very happy and content to spend his retirement years enjoying modern comforts and the company of others. He never married.
Benno was under hospice care towards the end of his life. His death came at the nursing home on the morning of 04 Feb 2021, just 11 days after he had celebrated his 93rd birthday.
He was survived by 2 brothers and 1 sister-in-law; 4 nieces and 1 nephew; cousins; and many extended family members.
At his request, there was no visitation and no funeral services were conducted.
Children: None.
Benno's siblings:
Charles Frederick "Charlie" Hoelzel
Lindell George "Pete" Hoelzel
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