Theodore J. Hofer: 1926-2021
Theodore (Ted) Joseph Hofer, 95, was taken into the loving arms of Jesus on Nov. 10, 2021 at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, S.D. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19 at First Baptist Church, 630 1st Ave, Emery, S.D. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church.
Ted was born on Sept. 7, 1926, to John and Kathryn Hofer on a farm near Hitchcock, S.D. Due to drought conditions during the Depression years, the family moved to a farm near Dolton, S.D., where Ted attended first through 10th grade.
Ted married Naomi (Wollman) on Sept. 5,1948 at the Salem Mennonite Brethren Church near Freeman, S.D. During their first year of marriage they purchased the family farm two miles northwest of Dolton. Their union was blessed with four children: Arlo, JoLynn, Twila and Phil. During 1961, Ted and Naomi built a new home to accommodate their growing family. They lived in this home until they retired in 1991.
Ted and Naomi were dairy farmers for over 40 years, milking 60 cows twice a day. Though this tied them down daily, going to church every time there was a service was a priority. Dad was a hardworking farmer and believed hard work never hurt anyone.
Dad loved to celebrate holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and family gatherings, which gave him a chance to enjoy family, good German food, Christian songs and music.
Upon retirement in 1991, Mom and Dad moved to Bridgewater. Besides enjoying a large lawn and flower garden, Dad needed a hobby and he turned his garage into a wood shop where he enjoyed making oak furniture. Dad had a very generous heart and loved to donate items to many Christian school auctions and to a local Mennonite mission group. Dad and Mom were also very active members of the Gideon Bible organization.
In May 2016 they moved to Grandview Assisted Living in Bridgewater, and in May 2020 moved to Edgewood Memory Care in Sioux Falls. Dad was admitted to a Sioux Falls hospital in August 2021 due to a fall. He was then moved to Tieszen Memorial in Marion under Hospice care.
Theodore is survived by his wife Naomi Hofer; four children and their spouses: Arlo (Pam) Hofer, Bridgewater; JoLynn (Robyn) Keller, Bismarck, N.D.; Twila (Kevin) Conklin, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa and Phil (Kathy) Hofer, Bridgewater; 11 grandchildren: Jason (Jennifer), Darrin (Nikki), Heidi (Tyler), Keith (Sarah), Zachary (Nicole), Christopher (Amanda), Tiffany (Isaiah), Nicolas, Emily (Tyler), Tasha, Travis (Sage); and 19 great-grandchildren; Haley, Marah, Carter, Ava, Riley, Liam, Lucy, Alivia, Finn, Grayson, Gavin, Quinn, Mathias, Emma, Olivia, Nora, Elias, Sawyer, and Ariah.
He was also survived by brother Paul (LuAnn) Hofer, Doland; brother-in-law, Sam, Huron; sisters-in-law, Alma Wollman, Freeman; and Karen Wollman, Menno; along with many nieces and nephews.
Theodore was preceded in death by his parents, John and Kathryn; three brothers: John (Gladys) Hofer, Arnold Hofer, Samuel (Joyce) Hofer; and one sister, Kathryn (Bob) Megard; brothers-in-law Reuben Wollman and Simon Wollman; and sisters-in-law Mary (Edgar) Hofer, Susie (Jim) Evans, Mary (Hofer) Wollman and Gladys (Wipf) Hofer.
Card of thanks
The family wishes to thank the caregivers and staff of Tieszen Memorial Home and Hospice care for their loving care during dad’s final days. Memorials may be directed to The Gideons International.
