Ukie Hoja

Ulrike “Ukie” Maria (Gaebler) Hoja, 92, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Ukie was born on Aug. 11, 1930, in Madras, India to German missionaries, Paul and Lisa Gaebler. She married Dr. Witold Alex Hoja in 1953, in Berea, Kentucky

Ukie attended an American boarding school in India. She lived in Germany for 3 years after being released from British Prisoner of War camp near the end of World War II. She graduated from Berea College in Kentucky as a Registered Nurse. Ukie married her husband of 63 years the day after graduation. They traveled with the military before settling in Poplar Bluff in 1965. Ukie was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church. She was also heavily involved in PTO, Doctor Wives Charitable Organization and other groups within the community. Ukie raised not only her three sons, but also two nephews and one niece. She loved her family passionately.

Ukie is survived by one son, Tom (Dee) Hoja of Poplar Bluff; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two siblings, Vroni (Peter) Otto and Christoph (HanneLore) Gaebler, along with her sibling’s children, all of Germany; nephews, Michael J. Hoja and David Hoya both of Scotland; niece, Mary Rose (Paul) Hoja of Sweden.

Ukie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dr. W. Alex Hoja; two sons, Dr. J. Michael Hoja and Paul Hoja; one sister, Lore Paasche; one brother, Michael Gaebler; along with many close friends.

Visitation will be held from 10:00-12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services. Funeral service to follow beginning at Noon with Pastor Justin Sponagle. She will be laid to rest next to her husband Alex at Woodlawn Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family and friends of Mrs. Hoja. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com