Heinz Hoeke

Heinz Karl Hoeke 17 Feb. 1930-March 21, 2016
Heinz Karl Hoeke, 86, passed away March 21, 2016 in Orem, Utah. He was born on 17 Feb. 1930 in Dresden, Saxony, Germany to Otto Karl Hoeke and Frieda Luise Baatge Hoeke. He married Eva Gralla on the 24th of June, 1950. Heinz and Eva had two children, one which passed at birth and Sonja, (Spencer Nishimoto) two grandchildren, Brian and Jamie (Jacob Hofheins) and 4 great grandchildren, Tyson, Brecklyn, Logan and Grayson.
Their almost 66 years of marriage were very eventful, beginning by having to flee their home in Freiberg, which was then behind the Iron Curtain.
During their time in Frankfurt, Heinz had the home teaching assignment to the then young Dieter Uchtdorf and his family. As he heard of President Uchtdorf's assignment in the First Presidency, he was so thrilled and quickly sent him a congratulatory email.
After about three years, he and his family came to America. This was a large undertaking for a couple that spoke no English and had no family there. They received their American citizenship which was a proud day for them. And he was very patriotic to his new country and actively participated in many political events. He served several years as the PTA President at the school of his daughter, Sonja. It was happy time for them as they became grandparent and later great grandparents
Heinz has served in many church capacities such as councilor in the Fairmont, MN LDS branch presidency, many years as ward financial clerk and Sunday School presidency in Frankfurt as well as Highland and in various stake assignments. He has always been an active member in the Church and worked in the Provo Temple baptistry and Mount Timpanogos Temple.
He loved listening to classical music, which was his absolute passion. He was very aware and enjoyed keeping current on politics.
His last eight years of life were hard as sickness and health problems prevailed. Although in and out of the hospital on many occasions, he tried his best to still show his family his love for them and by providing for his wife as best as he could.
He is survived by his wife, Eva his daughter Sonja, 2 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Frieda Baatge Hoeke and his sister Erika Hoeke Sardison, who was married to Gustav Sardison.
Papa Heinz, we love you and miss you. We look forward to the day when we will have the promised blessing of being together as an eternal family never to be apart again.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March, 25, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in Anderson & Sons Lone Peak Chapel, 6141 West 11000 North, Highland, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and Friday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Please share a memory at andersonmortuary.com.