George Hosfield
George Allan Hosfield was born to the late Guy and Lena (Pieper) Hosfield on February 22, 1932, in Ellston, Iowa, welcomed home by brothers Lyle, Lloyd, and Kenneth. He said his earthly goodbyes on December 14, 2021, at the age of 89. His age was no barrier. George lived life to the absolute fullest up until the last moment – on his way to do what he and his late bride, Naomi, loved most – dancing. He graduated from Ellston High School in 1949 and married his high school sweetheart, Naomi Ruth Robison, on February 26, 1952, at the Tingley Methodist parsonage. Together, they created a love for life through farming, family, and faith. Their marriage brought four beautiful children: Douglas Allan in 1953, Gary Dean in 1954, Randy Guy in 1962, and Lisa Grace in 1964. George and Naomi shared their love for all things agriculture with their children, raising them in their farmhouse northwest of Ellston where they resided from 1958-2003.
George’s real love for farming started in 1946, three years before he graduated high school. He attended a carnival in his hometown, Ellston, Iowa, where he bought a ticket for the chance to win a bred sow with her pigs. That day, George’s love for the hog industry blossomed as he brought home a sow and eight red pigs. George was a lifelong farmer who also spent many years as a salesman for Archer Oil and selling feed for Lucas Feed Company. Upon retirement, George and Naomi moved to Tingley in 2003 where they lived across the street from the Tingley Community Center, home of the Tingley meal site where they spent countless hours volunteering. In addition to their dedicated volunteering at the Tingley meal site, they were loyal members of the Tingley Kitchen Band and Charlie’s Revue. George also served as a lifetime member of the Tingley Lions Club, and he and Naomi were also members of the Ellston Methodist Church.
George and Naomi spent multiple nights a week at dances across the region. After Naomi passed in 2015, George still kept himself busy traveling multiple nights a week to a dance. He frequented the Chicken Inn in Creston and the American Legion in Mount Ayr. George was also an avid cribbage player, challenging his kids and grandkids at each family gathering and playing in Arispe most every Wednesday afternoon. He was champion of the 2018 Jim Overholtzer Cribbage Tournament in Hopeville, Iowa, and he recently placed 8th in the 2021 Iowa State Fair Cribbage Tournament.
Growing up, his kids remember making homemade ice cream, listening to the stories he would tell of his time growing up, and watching western movies. George also had a big place in his heart for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and rarely missed an activity or sporting event of theirs. His family members have fond memories of watching George and Naomi conquer puzzles on their kitchen table, playing cards with them, popping popcorn on their stovetop at the farm, shucking corn and snapping peas, and playing on the tire swing in the farm’s front yard.
George touched every life he encountered, and he made every conversation he had a special one. He is missed dearly by his family and friends, all who celebrate in his inspiring life and that he is at peace with his bride and his Creator. George is survived by his children Douglas (Wanda) Hosfield, Gary (Linda) Hosfield, Randy (Stephanie) Hosfield, and Lisa (Chuck) Waske; his grandchildren Chad (friend, Jami) Drake, David Hosfield, Brittany (Josh) Pickering, Jennifer (Jesse) Cornell, Nathan (Tanya) Drake, Tyler (Maggie) Hosfield, Cass (Annie) Hosfield, Chelsey (Eddie) Daily, Thomas Hosfield, and Madison (Logan) Lafrenz; his great-grandchildren Daron, Donnie, Evelyn, Gabe, Eastyn, Daxtyn, Anastasia, Cooper, Walker, Collyns, Adley, Parker, Rhaylin, Gunner, Braelynn, and baby due May 2022; brother-in-law and sister-in-law David (Sharon) Robison of Altoona, IA; and sister-in-law Joyce Robison of Swisher, IA.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Naomi Hosfield; his parents Guy and Lena Hosfield; father-in-law Forrest Robison and mother-in-law Lily Adalene (Trisler) Robison; his brothers Lyle, Lloyd, and Kenneth Hosfield; sister-in-laws Esther Robison, Shirley Hosfield, Nadine Hosfield, Dora May Thomson, Cleone Hosfield, Vivian Hosfield; and brother-in-laws Eugene Robison and Dean Thomson.
Memorials are the Ellston United Methodist Church and the Tingley Community Building.
