Kent O. Hochgraber

Kent’s service will be livestreamed below starting at 7:00 PM Friday, May 9 and 11:00 AM Saturday, May 10.

Kent Orville Hochgraber, age 77, Fargo, North Dakota, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday April 5, 2025 at Banner Baywood Hospital, Mesa, Arizona.

Kent was born June 16, 1947, to Orville and Audrey Hochgraber at Mayville Union Hospital. He grew up on the family farm with one younger brother, Keith, and attended Galesburg, ND Elementary and High School, graduating in 1965. Following graduation, he joined the Army National Guard and served for six years.

After basic training in El Paso, Texas, and AIT training in Fort Ord, California, he served as The Supply Sergeant for The Mayville 191st Military Police Unit. During his time of service, Kent attended The North Dakota State School of Science, obtaining his associate degree in business and accounting. Early employment while attending school included farming, banking, construction, and driving a school bus and bulk oil truck.

On June 28, 1970, he married Marjory Mehus at Bang Lutheran Church, Portland, North Dakota. Kent and Marge began their married life, working in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Marge taught elementary school in The Fargo Schools and Kent was a business office manager at St. Ansgar’s Hospital. They purchased their first home in North Fargo, later buying a home in Reile’s Acres where they raised their three daughters, twins, Jill and Jessica, and youngest daughter, Erika. Although Kent grew up with only one brother, he became The Best Girl Dad ever. Often the only male in a large group of women, he was often teased about his “harem”. After the girls were grown, the couple sold their home in Reile’s Acres and moved to a twin home in South Fargo.

Kent preferred being his own boss and pursued self-employment opportunities. He built his own Amway business, recruiting distributors, selling products, and achieving the level of Ruby Distributorship. In addition, Kent started The Professional Management Association which entailed recruiting professionals. Another endeavor included Business Networking International, helping small businesses grow. He also managed The Elks Club and a storage unit business. Although he never fully retired, Kent achieved a life-long dream when he and Marge began spending winters in Arizona.

Kent enjoyed participating in multiple community groups. He served on The Fargo Public School’s Development Foundation and was a long-term member of Hope Lutheran Church and The Galesburg American Legion. For many years, he served pancakes and sold tickets for the annual Kiwanis Pancake Feed. He also received a distinguished service award from Kiwanis International while holding the position of Minnesota-Dakotas District Governor. He was a long-time member of Sons of Norway and served as the organization’s president.

Kent enjoyed most spending time with his family but in his younger years, Kent enjoyed fishing trips to the Northwoods, and was a life-long lover of golf. He liked tools and used them to renovate cast-off chairs and refurbish old toys. He also took pride in his cars and was known as a saver. Who doesn’t want a large supply of empty prescription medicine bottles and toothpicks?

Kent will be missed by his wife of 54 years, Marjory, Fargo, ND; daughters, Jill (fiance, Ricki Garner), Jessica, and Erika, all of Fargo; brother, Keith (Pat) Hochgraber, Detroit Lakes, MN; nephews, Joshua (Amy) Hochgraber, Detroit Lakes, MN, Benjamin (Cara), Ramona, SD; and niece, Katie (Charles) Lilly, Springfield, TN. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Maxine Mehus, Myrna Mehus, Marsha Hopkins, Ramona (Bob) Asmus, Lori Mehus; brothers-in-law, Ron (Mary) Mehus, Randy (Christy) Mehus; and several cousins.

Kent was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; and his wife’s parents, Raymo and Merle Mehus.