He was born January 16, 1911, at Moulton, Nebraska, to Frank and Lona (Vinnedge) Hoobler.

On March 27, 1942, he was married to Betty Hagadorn. Buz went into the Army in May of 1942, leaving his new wife in order to serve his country. He served with the First Special Service Force in Europe, known as "The Devil’s Brigade." He was honorably discharged from the army and returned home safely to his family in October of 1945.

Buz then went back into the restaurant business, carrying on the family tradition, owned cafes in the central Nebraska towns of Halsey, Stapleton, Taylor and Broken Bow. Buz ran the cafe known as Buz and Betty’s in Broken Bow for 23 years. He was a member of the VFW in Broken Bow. Between restaurants, Buz tried picking fruit in Washington, combining in Kansas, and also owned the Broken Bow Bottling Works. During the summer months Buz and his girls dressed in their western clothes, loaded the pop into the truck leaving Betty to run the cafe and went off to the rodeos to sell their wares.

In 1958 Buz purchased a small farm south of Broken Bow. Livestock raised were sheep, pigs, milk cows, banty chickens and horses. Buz used to say, "The coyotes got the sheep, disease got the pigs, and it was too much darned work to milk the cows," but those horses brought many hours of entertainment to his family. Retirement was in order for Buz in 1975. He and Betty were blessed with years of camping, fishing, travel and enjoying their family.

In failing health, Buz entered Jennie Melham Hospital three and one half weeks ago. On Wednesday, Dec. 18, 1996, he died after a lengthy illness. He was 85 years old. Funeral services were held Dec. 21 at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow with the Rev Charles Gregory officiating. Music was provided by Linda Miller, organist, and Kathy Fowler, soloist.

Casket bearers were Monte Shultz, Frank Winder, Jason Province, Nic Province, Ken Horky and Shane Campbell. Burial with military rites was in the Broken Bow Cemetery with Govier Brothers Mortuary in charge of arrangements. A memorial has been established to Jennie Melham Hospital.

His parents preceded him in death; two brothers, Leo and Morris; one infant sister Lona; one grandson, Buz E. Shultz; and two great-grandchildren, Cassie and Mitchell Thomas, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Betty of Broken Bow; four daughters, Penny and husband Don Shultz of Grand Island, Julie and husband James Turner of Broken Bow, Kathy and husband Don Province of Broken Bow, Ginger and husband Jerry Spanel of Broken Bow; two sisters, Conda Duryea of Alliance, Nebraska, and Phyllis Billiard of Lincoln, Nebraska; one sister-in-law, Esther Hoobler of Sargent, Nebraska; 13 grand-children; 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Betty Hoobler, age 85 of Broken Bow, died September 27, 2008 at the Golden Living Center in Broken Bow.

Funeral services will be today, October 2, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. in Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow with Pastor Rick Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery with Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Ascera Care Hospice of Kearney.

Betty Jane Hoobler was born August 8, 1923 to Arthur and Matilda Hagadorn at Broken Bow. She graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1942.

On March 27, 1942 she was married to Ford "Buz" Hoobler. Four daughters were born to this union. Betty and her husband owned and operated many restaurants, including Buz and Betty’s Café in Broken Bow.

Betty was a member of the First Baptist Church and accepted the Lord as her savior. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 54 years. Betty was a loving mother and grandmother and nest important thing to her was her family.

Betty is survived by her daughters Penny (Don) Shultz of Grand Island, Julie (James) Turner, Kathy (Don) Province and Ginger (Jerry) Spanel all of Broken Bow; 12 grandchildren, 31 Great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren, 2 sisters-in-law, Normalen Hagadorn of Cozad and Phyllis Billiard of Kalispell, Montana.