Warren was born 24 March, 1922 in Sanford, CO to Nephi Glen and Maud Leone Hostetter. He was the oldest of 8 children. He spent most of his life in La Jara, CO and many summers working at the sawmill at “The Tusas” and by the La Jara Reservoir.
Warren graduated from La Jara High School in 1940. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy. When he returned home, he served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central States Mission.
He married Edith Christine Renner in the LDS temple in Salt Lake City, UT on November 3, 1949. To this union were born six children: Barbara(Richard) Openshaw, Evelyn (Victor) Peterson, Gary(Elise) Hostetter, Dan (Laurie) Hostetter, Harman(Dianne) Hostetter and John(Chris) Hostetter.
He was preceded in death by son Dan Nephi, son-in-law Eddie Jackson, his parents, three sisters, Luella, Doris Mae and Mary Leone and two brothers-in-law, Leland Jackson and Ralph Mortensen.
In 1952, Warren enrolled at Adams State College where he attended for two years. Later, he completed his education after two more years and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1965. He taught 6th grade at La Jara Elementary, Math and Arts & Crafts at Centauri High School.
In 1957, he bought Allpine Lumber Co. from his father and brother, Harvey. Part of his sawmill crew during 17 summers was his four sons. In 1981, Warren sold the sawmill to his son, Harman. Warren fulfilled numerous callings in the church: Elders Quorum President, Ward Clerk, Bishop’s counselor, Stake Sunday School Board, High Council, Ward Sunday School President, Teacher Development Teacher, Seminary Teacher, Branch President on his 4th mission, and also was a scoutmaster for many years and was awarded the Silver Beaver. After their children were raised, Warren and Edith served missions for the church in Hazard, KY, the Hualopai Indian Reservation in Peach Springs, AZ, the Duck Valley Reservation in Owyhee, NV. After retiring, they spent 3 years in Blue Springs, MO where Warren worked for his son Gary. In 1989, they returned to Colorado where Warren worked at the sawmill for Harman until he was 80 years old.
During the years, he had 10 surgeries, mostly for repair work for injuries from strenuous work at the sawmill, but he always recovered to continue the work he loved.
In 2002 his health began to decline and from Nov. 2007 to Oct. 2008 he was hospitalized 6 times—twice needing blood transfusions. He then became homebound most of the time until his death on 29 May, 2013.
Warren was known for his knowledge of the scriptures, his patriotism, his editorials, his books, and service in the church which he loved so much.
A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, June 3, 2013 at the Rogers Family Mortuary in Manassa. A Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at the La Jara Second Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow services in the Sanford Cemetery. Contributions are suggested to the La Jara Second Ward Missionary Fund or to Hospice del Valle and may be made through the funeral home office.