Mary Hochstein

Mary (Podzimek) Hochstein passed away on December 5, 2024, in her home with family at her side, after having valiantly fought Alzheimer’s/dementia for the last decade. 

The celebration of Mary’s life and Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Yankton. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 11, with a rosary and vigil service at 7:00 PM at Wintz and Ray Funeral Home in Yankton. Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Pallbearers are Sadie Podzimek, Jeff Podzimek, Tom Podzimek, Dan Podzimek, Jenelle Vaughan and Rochelle Fink.

Mary was born February 8, 1949, in Tyndall, SD at St. Michael’s Hospital to John and Leona Podzimek. She was the first baby born in that hospital, and the hospital asked her parents if they would name her Mary after the Blessed Virgin. Mary grew up helping on the family farm and graduated from Wagner High School in 1967. She moved to Yankton and married Leon Hochstein on October 14, 1972, at Sacred Heart Church in Yankton, where they raised their four children. 

Mary was especially proud of her children, and the successful adults they became. Mary felt motherhood was her vocation and in Mary’s words, “My greatest Christian service to God was to raise, love, and enjoy every aspect of my four greatest and blessed gifts from God: Joshua, Justin, Sarah, and Nicholas. They are always on my mind and mention of their names always brings a huge smile to my heart.” She always had her children’s best interest in mind, encouraged their education, was their biggest cheerleader, was never afraid to tell them how much she loved them and how proud of them she was. She supported them every step of the way, including helping with homework and attending all their activities: cross-country, track, soccer, tennis, swimming, dance, and basketball.

Over the years, Mary worked at American State Bank, Valley State Bank, the Yankton Middle School (YMS), the Yankton Sheriff’s Office, and Walgreens. In Mary’s words, “It was not the work, but all the people I got to know that mattered to me. The criticisms, compliments, and encouragement I received along the way also helped to shape my life.” She especially enjoyed interacting with and helping students at YMS and customers at Walgreens. She had an amazing quality to make everyone feel important and special. Mary really enjoyed her time at Walgreen’s but had to retire due to health issues. Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 10 years ago and her husband and daughter were able to care for her at her home all throughout her illness.

Mary enjoyed dancing with Leon and listening to music. She also enjoyed spending time outdoors and going on walks. Mary was a great listener with a giant heart. She was always willing to help someone in need and was loved by many. Mary was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton. God and family were at the center of her life. In Mary’s words, “God’s guidance in my life lit the path and helped meet my needs. I’m grateful for my parents, brothers and sisters, my best friend and husband Leon, my children, all my relatives, and friends who taught and helped me to love and endure each day of my life. I didn’t realize that they would all help me along the way to find my way “home” to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” She trusted the Will of God. When Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she said she wasn’t afraid because she had faith that God would take care of her. “We cannot know what the future holds, but we can trust the One who holds the future.” Her lifelong mission, in her own words was this, “The only way I will ever feel good about dying is by knowing I did everything in my power to help my children know and love God because they are my gifts.” 

Mary is survived by her husband of 52 years, Leon Hochstein; their four children: Joshua, Justin (Brooke), Sarah, and Nicholas (Lydia); their five grandchildren: Mason, Donovan, Weston, Helen, and Hudson; her three sisters: Virgie, Dorothy, and Judy; her three brothers: Alvin, Joe, and Jim; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Leona (Carda) Podzimek, and her brother, Richard Podzimek.