Obituary of Mavis Jean Hochhaus

Mavis Jean Hochhaus was born on January 1, 1940 in the family home located in Cincinnati, Iowa. She spent her early years in this small farming community surrounded by a large extended family. The family later relocated to Rockford, Illinois where she Graduated from East High School in 1957.

In December of 1957, she met her future husband, Dean Hochhaus. After a whirlwind 6 week courtship, Mavis and Dean were married in Rockford on February 15, 1958. A marriage that would continue until Dean’s death in 2020.

Mavis and Dean were always an adventurous couple. They soon relocated to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where their four children were born. While still in Cedar Rapids, they traveled to Minneapolis, MN to try to become contestants on the popular game show “Let’s Make a Deal.” Unfortunately, they were not chosen as contestants. Following this same spirit, in July of 1968, they loaded their 4 children in their station wagon, packed their travel trailer with their most prized possessions, and moved west to Phoenix, Arizona. They soon settled in neighboring Tempe where they resided until May of 1993.

During this time, Mavis and Dean grew to love exploring the backroads of Arizona along with the beaches in Rocky Point and El Golfo, Mexico with their children and friends. They had a large group of friends who were primarily Dean’s coworkers at Motorola in Mesa that shared their same love for the outdoors. Family Thanksgivings were spent camping in the desert where turkeys were cooked over a mesquite wood charcoal fire and side dishes provided by all of those attended. It was truly a Thanksgiving feast!

Though always busy with family and friends, Mavis did find time to return to school where she completed the nursing program at Mesa Community College as an LPN. She worked for Mesa General Hospital and Mesa Lutheran Hospital where she retired from after many years working in the Labor and Delivery Unit.

Upon their retirement, Mavis and Dean moved to Mesa, Arizona which became their new base for their love of travel. They enjoyed many cruises. The highlight of which was their cruise from Auckland, New Zealand to Los Angeles, California, transiting the Panama Canal and a family cruise of the Mexican Riviera to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

They continued their love of off-roading, making a round trip down the Baja Peninsula and of course, spending time in their beloved El, Golfo, Mexico. Summers were spent in the cool pine forests of the Mogollon Rim. Initially camping with a group of friends along the Young and Black Canyon Lake Roads before they settled into the Elk Pines RV Resort where Mavis and Dean continued to expand their already large group of friends.

Mavis had many interests. For many years, mom was a member of a women’s bowling league. Thursday night bowling night was definitely her time! She also enjoyed working jig-saw puzzles, reading, the monthly breakfast group of retired nurses, occasional visits to local casinos with her daughters and especially playing cards with her girlfriends. She was an avid fan of all of the local sports teams, especially the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals.

Mavis truly led a wonderful life and we will miss her dearly. She is survived by her Daughter Lori Jean Kinnard, grandsons Justin and Ryan. Daughter Sheila Ray Escalante, granddaughters Lana and Jobeth, great-grandsons Juan, Dean and EJ, great-granddaughters Stephanie, Valerie, and Raeylnn. Son Martin Dean (Isabel), granddaughters Natalie and Erika. Son Jeffrey Alan. Mavis is also survived by her siblings Dixie Arnold, Sherry Blade and brother Dick (Fran) Robbins as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband Dean Hochhaus and parents Albert Ashley and Mildred Maxine (Besse) Robbins, infant son, and granddaughter Nicole (Barnes) Acosta.

The Family would like to thank her caregivers at Advanced Healthcare of Mesa, Banner Baywood Medical Center, and Banner Hospice for their caring kindness during Mom’s final days. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the American Heart Association, National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, or the charity of your choice.

We Love and Miss You Mom, we hope you enjoy your next adventures with Dad!