LaVerne ‘Jake’ Hofer: 1933-2020

LaVerne “Jake” Hofer, 87, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 in Sioux Falls, S.D. of a non-Covid-related illness. Services were held Nov. 12 at First Lutheran Church.

Jake was born the son of Jacob E. and Mae (Wollman) Hofer on Oct. 6, 1933 in Freeman, S.D. He grew up in Freeman where he graduated from Freeman High School and Freeman Junior College. He then moved to Chicago, Ill., where he graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1958. Following graduation, he moved to Sioux Falls where he worked at Banton-Sorenson Funeral Home and Ambulance Service (which later became George Boom Funeral Home). Jake worked for George Boom for a number of years before starting his own mail order business, selling office and mortuary supplies, latex gloves and many other items. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to purchase the Chapel Craft Company from Chicago, which he moved to Sioux Falls, where he operated the company for many years. He married Norma Jean Peterson on Sept. 4, 1960 in Salem, S.D. She preceded him in death on Aug. 4, 2020.

Jake was an active member at First Lutheran Church. He greatly enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and boating. Above all he loved attending his grandchildren’s activities.

Survivors include his children: Terry (Kathy) Hofer, Sioux Falls; Roger (Susan) Hofer, Sioux Falls and Deb (Ken) Tiefenthaler, Brookings, S.D.; four grandchildren: Jacob and Jared Hofer, Taylor and Trey Tiefenthaler; and many close friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Jake to the First Lutheran Media Ministry or Sioux Falls Cares.