Obituary of Jessie Hobrecht

Jessie Johnson Hobrecht passed away on Saturday, October 22 at Hermann Hospital in Houston, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 19, 1926 to James Joseph Johnson and Helen Doyle Johnson. Other than a brief transfer to Shaker Heights, Ohio, the Johnsons lived in Denver, Colorado, where Jessie attended Incarnate Word Academy, St. Mary’s Academy and Loretto Heights College. She is preceded in death by her husband, Frederick William Hobrecht, her son, James Frederick Hobrecht, and her sister Helen Johnson Waters. Jessie is survived by her sister Mary Johnson Kelly and her four daughters, Susan Brown (Dee) and their children Katherine, Travis, Melina, Madeyline and Michaela; Louise Wobbe (Bernie) and their children Ryan and Leann; Linda Wojtasczyk (Tommy) and their daughters Shay, Krista and Lindsy; and Holly Sosa (Camilo) and her children Wesley and Wade. Jessie’s full life was enriched even more by her beloved great-grandchildren, Harrison, Michael, Jake, Ben, Caroline, Kate, William, Westin, Sydney, Brooklyn, Maddox, Shelby, Zephy and Camren. Jessie Johnson married Fred Hobrecht on February 25, 1949 in Kingsville, Texas. It is a testament to her love of adventure that she accepted a proposal to move from her sheltered life in Denver to the exotic land of South Texas to marry the colorful Captain Hobrecht. He bravely led his squadron of the U.S. Air Force in the European front of World War II. Upon honorable discharge, he traveled the country to see where life might take him. It was at the Denver office of Braniff Airlines that he met young Jessie, and without hesitation made it his mission to win her over as his wife. When Freddie passed away on July 24, 2001, they had recently celebrated their 52nd anniversary. Through all the excitement of raising a family far away from the comfort of home, Jessie never lost her love of knowledge, humor and creativity. She would read one book right after the other--everything from the Classics to history to whimsical mysteries, often with a crossword in one hand. Before the internet provided accessible information, it was Jessie who was called upon to settle an argument over conflicting facts. Her dry English wit made her the life of a party all the way through her 90th birthday this last August. She has been described as beautiful, graceful, irreverent, guileful, determined and independent. In her later years she started coming out of her shell, much to the amusement of doctors, hospital staff, clerks and just about anyone who came to visit. Reluctant to join in at first, but the last comic standing once she saw the magic of entertainment. Funeral services for Jessie Hobrecht will be held on Friday, October 28, starting with a Mass at 9:30 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in San Antonio. After a brief interlude, the progression will continue to the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for burial services set for 11:15 am.