About Us

Our History

In 1874, Bernard J. Hogenkamp, a native of Holland, established a furniture and undertaking business with partner Mr. Kohner on N. Frankfort St. in Minster. A few years later, Bernard Hogenkamp partnered with Joseph Knostman. They, in turn, ran a Furniture and Undertaking Business in Minster. In 1903, the building, which is the present-day funeral home, was built at 61 S. Hanover St. Joseph Knostman continued in the furniture business. Bernard Hogenkamp remained as funeral director. In 1910, his son Nicholas J., after completion of courses at a Cincinnati embalming school, joined his father's business. In 1932, Nicholas P. passed his embalmer's examination at Cleveland University and joined his father in the business. In 1956, Nicholas A. joins his father in business, and in 1980, Nicholas C. joined his father in the firm.

In 1960, the Romer Funeral Home in St. Henry was purchased. The Early History of the funeral home in St. Henry dates back to Fred Goettemoeller, who operated his business until sold to Henry Schmidt, who sold it a short while after that to Harry & Harold Romer. In 1921, Stanley Romer became a partner in the business with Harry Romer. Eventually, Stanley Romer became the sole owner and operator and moved the funeral business to its present location on Main Street. Nicholas P. Hogenkamp purchased the funeral home from Stanley Romer on July 11, 1960. He ran the funeral home from 1960-1963. In 1963, his son B. Jay Hogenkamp joined the business and began managing the funeral home. Larry Heitkamp joined the firm in 1966 and managed the St. Henry location until his passing in 2017.

In 1965, the G. P. Desch Funeral Home in Coldwater was acquired. The Funeral Home in Coldwater was founded in 1900 by Joseph R. Desch. In 1934, he sold his business to his son, G.P. Desch, who operated it for 31 years. On March 30, 1975, the funeral home was moved to its current location. The funeral home has been managed since 1965 by B. Jay Hogenkamp, with his sons Brian, joining the firm in 1993, and Scott, joining the firm in 2000.

In 2009, the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Russia, Ohio, is opened with Scott Hogenkamp as director.