- Date Of Birth: November 9, 1953
- Date Of Death: April 16, 2021
- State: Arizona
Ken Hostert, age 67, late of Scottsdale, Arizona and previously Oswego, Illinois, passed away Friday, April 16, 2021. At his side were his wife, Kim; sons Kevin and Sean; daughters-in-law Jessica and Sarah; sister Janet; and nephew Jim Connell and his wife, Amy.
Ken was born November 9, 1953, in Joliet, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his parents Sylvester “Dutch” and Evelyn (Eipers) and sisters Kathleen Connell and Peggy Popovich. Survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Kim (Repenn); his sons Kevin (Jessica) and Sean (Sarah); soon-to-be granddaughter; brothers Dale (Debbie) Hostert and Gary (Vicki) Hostert; sister, Janet Hostert Viano; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
A long-time Homer Township resident, Ken attended Lockport High School followed by Lewis University, where he studied aviation maintenance.
Though Ken’s career initially landed him in the nuclear industry, first at Argonne National Laboratory and later Commonwealth Edison, his true passion was always excavating. For years, excavating was a side business for Ken, which he did on weekends. However, in 1995 he took the plunge and went full-time into excavating as a business owner/operator of Hostert Brothers Excavating. Ken loved, as he always put it, “movin’ dirt” with his machines. He was a skilled operator on nearly every vintage, make, and model of equipment. Ken’s passion for his craft was displayed daily through not only his attention to the finest details, but also his spirited communication style with his business partner brother, employees, and customers.
However, as someone who liked to stay perpetually busy, one job was never enough for Ken. In 2013, Ken ran for, and was elected, Road Commissioner of Na Au Say Township. He served in the role from 2013 until 2020 and could often be found behind the controls of the John Deere motor-grader, chomping on a cigar. During his time, he helped form the Kendall County Township Highway Commissioners group and completed several significant projects including road and bridge rebuilds, and the paving of all remaining gravel roads.
The saying “the apple did not fall far from the tree” really rang true with Ken and his father, Dutch. Like Dutch, Ken was a mechanical wizard. On weekends and in his free time, Ken could be found in his shop working on a variety of projects. Whether helping a neighbor fix a lawnmower, custom fabricating decorations for a wedding, or looking over a car with a friend, Ken’s shop was always welcome to family and friends as marked by his neon ‘Open’ sign. Whether the task big and complex, or small and remedial, Ken was always willing and able to help others.
Ken had many life codes he lived by, and one particular creed was to leave something better than he found it. One of Ken’s favorite hobbies, if not his absolute favorite, was the restoration of classic muscle cars and antique tractors. Over the years, Ken worked diligently to restore two 1969 Ford Mustangs, a Farmall Super C, and a Case 900 tractor, among other pieces like vintage refrigerators, lawnmowers, and even children’s pedal toys. It was a great source of pride for Ken to completely rebuild a car or tractor from the ground up making it just as nice – more often nicer – than the day it rolled off the assembly line.
Although Ken loved operating his machines and working in his shop, he loved nothing more than his family. He married his loving wife Kim on December 16, 1978. During the last four decades, Ken and Kim experienced countless adventures together, most commonly warm weather beach vacations in Siesta Key, Florida. Their latest adventure was their biggest yet as they purchased a home in Scottsdale, Arizona, which they completely refurbished for retirement. Ken and Kim packed up their belongings in Illinois and, after his retirement from the township and sale of his excavating business (Hostert Excavating, Inc.), moved west in 2020 to be closer to their children.
As a father, Ken always made time for his sons, Kevin and Sean. Even during his working years, he rarely missed a sporting event in which his sons participated. True to form, his involvement was most often very active including as a coach for Oswego Park District basketball and PONY baseball, among others. Through his excavating business, he also sponsored many teams to support the local community. Ever the mentor to his sons, Ken always passed along his life knowledge, whether it be about improving a baseball swing, rebuilding an engine, or providing career advice.
