Paul Jerome Hoge

Paul Jerome Hoge age 61 of Crosby-Ironton passed away at his home on July 6, 2018 after a brief battle with cancer.  He was born on December 18, 1956 in Aitkin to Jerome and Lucy (Hensel) Hoge.  Paul married his Barbara Jo Ravnik, his best friend, on August 18, 1979 in Crosby.  Paul was proud to serve the community, sports, and church in the following ways: President of Spirit of Aitkin 4-H Club, Sound Board Mixer for Bread of Life Music Ministry, Member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Crosby, Lector and Eucharistic Minister, Trained Alter Servers, Taught catechism and confirmation at St. Joseph’s, Crosby, gave marriage talks, confirmation retreats and other Christian talks around the Duluth diocese, Financial Secretary and 4thDegree member of the Cuyuna Range Knights of Columbus, Pro Life couple with Barb for the Knights of Columbus, helped start ARC Crow Wing was President and Vice President since its inception, served on Minnesota State Operated Community Services (SOCS) committee, President of Paul Bunyan DAC Board in Brainerd, member of MN Coaches Assoc., started and ran the Cuyuna Range Bronco League from 1989 to 2018, coached baseball (Colts, Bronco, Little League, Pony, and Legion) teams, coached C-I Elementary and High School basketball, elementary football and soccer, served on MN Telecom Alliance (MTA) Board of Directors, Secretary and Treasurer for MTA,  MTA Small Companies Committee, Chairman of MTA CLEC Committee, served on MTA Executive Committee, served on OPASTCO Legislative Committee, 2003 MN Business Man of the Year for Business Advisory Council, member of Laymen’s Retreat League Jesuit Retreat House, receive the President Volunteer Service Award, served on League of MN Cities Telecommunications Task Force, Director for Hoge & Company, Assistant Coach of the Year for MN Basketball Coaches Association.  Paul worked as a tender for Ken Swanson Construction in Aitkin, worked at Gambles as an Assistant Manager, Aitkin, bookkeeper and computer programmer at Hallett Construction Company, Crosby, bookkeeper for Keely Drug and Hudrlik Carpets, Crosby, Computer Programmer and Supervisor of Computer Programming at Universal Pensions, Inc., Brainerd, Sales and Marketing Manager and General Manager of Emily Cooperative Telephone Company and C-I Communications, Inc., General Manager of Crosslake Communications.  As Paul’s final legacy to the community and his family, he established Hoge & Company in downtown Crosby.  A Representative Payee company that offers financial services to assist individuals living with a disability.

Paul is survived by his wife of 38 years, his best friend, Barbara; his five sons, John (Melissa), Eric, Benedict, Mark and Michael; his grandchildren, Conner, Deidryk, and Raegan; two brothers, Kevin (Carol) Hoge of Aitkin and Curtis (Sylvia) Hoge of Aitkin; four sisters, Roberta (Glenn) Elvecrog of Aitkin, Carol (Jim) Orazem of Mora, Shelly (Kevin) Lamke Aitkin and Julie (Brian) Carlson of Aitkin; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Paul in death are his parents and one brother, Thomas.

A Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery in Irondale Township.  Visitation will be Wednesday, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a sharing of memories at 6:00 p.m. followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m. A visitation also will be 1 hour prior to the services on Thursday.  In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.  Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.