Justin Don Hoberg

A not so ordinary obituary for a not so ordinary man. Justin D. Hoberg passed away peacefully at his home on Lake Bemidji on June 9th, 2017, with his daughter Jill and son Jeff by his side.

At Justin's request, no formal service will be held. A family celebration of his life will take place this summer on Lake Bemidji.

Justin was born in Bemidji, MN on July 5th, 1929 to parents Harvey and Inga Hoberg. He attended Bemidji High School where we all assumed he graduated in 1947, because we found no academic records. Justin assured us he was a straight A student. Justin was well known for his love of music. He played clarinet and piano by ear, and was in several bands in his younger days. He continued to play throughout his life. There were many nights that his neighbors were treated to Justin playing clarinet outside on his deck. One of Justin's most colorful memories of high school was giving rides on the propeller of the war plane that sat outside the shop class of Bemidji High School. Kids would grab onto the propeller and Justin would hit the starter button and they would twirl around, and twirl they did until the engine actually started, sending the plane crashing into the high school.  No one was injured. After high school Justin headed west to Grand Forks to attend UND. There he met Donna Ness and they were married November 24th, 1950. While attending UND, Justin began his sales career selling shoes at the Carney Anderson shoe store in East Grand Forks.

On January 1st 1951Justin entered the Army, in the 47th Division, where he achieved the rank of Sergeant and held an expert marksmanship rating. (This was confirmed by Army documentation, and yes we were shocked also!). Justin returned home to Grand Forks after serving in the Army. It was then that Bob Lucason, general manager of KNOX radio offered Justin a sales position. Even though Justin had no radio experience, he accepted the job and his career in radio broadcasting started.

On August 14th, 1954 Donna gave birth to twins Julie and Jeff. Born nearly 3 months premature, Justin credits Dr. Silverman for getting Grand Forks Deaconess Hospital's first incubator 6 months prior, which contributed to their survival. On June 20th, 1957 Donna gave birth to Jill and their family was now complete. In April of 1966 Justin purchased his first radio station, KNOX, and later he would acquire KTYN FM in Grand Forks. He then went on to purchase stations in Bemidji, KKBJ and KJ 104 and KBQQ FM and KYTN AM in Minot, North Dakota. In 1972, Justin was named executive vice president and general manager for the broadcast division of the Peoria Journal Star, Inc. He was responsible for all operations of the group's 11 stations located in Colorado, Indiana, Kansas and New Mexico. Justin  was a past Chamber  president  in  Grand  Forks, Exalted Ruler of  the Elks Club, President  of  the North Dakota Broadcasters, Board of Director of  First Bank in  Grand  Forks,  and public  relations chair for the  United Way.

Justin was an avid golfer and fisherman. He was famous for his fishing skills and often brought not only his children out fishing with him, but also neighbor's and friend's children out fishing with him. He was infamous for his story and joke telling. He had a quick wit and was known for his unusual phraseology and quotes. He was a great father who loved his children, grandchildren and his great- grandchild.

For those of you who knew Justin, please raise a glass of cheer to him for a life that was well lived.

Justin was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Jean Ness Hoberg; by his daughter Julie Kay Hoberg Fasching; his mother and father, Inga and Harvey Hoberg; brothers, Duane Hoberg and Keith Hoberg.

Justin is survived by his son Jeffrey Jay Hoberg and daughter-in-law Norma Livingston Hoberg; daughter Jill Hoberg Hill and son in law Steven William Hill; his sister Virginia Hoberg Cann and his eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. And his special friend Maria Altemueller.

Online guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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