Paul K. Hofer: 1947-2023
Paul K. Hofer, Jr. passed away at Freeman Regional Health Services on April 1, 2023 at the age of 75. Paul was born on July 24, 1947, at St. Joseph Hospital in Mitchell, S.D. He was the last of the 10 children born to Paul K. and Margaret (Gross) Hofer. He attended school in Spencer, S.D., graduating in 1965. After graduating high school, he started his career in farming with his brother Dwane Hofer while working part-time at the Spencer Elevator. In 1967, he bought his own farm where he raised crops, cattle and hogs for many years.
Paul loved going to cattle sales and buying cattle while also visiting. Paul did a lot of custom silage cutting, combining of corn and beans in the 70s through the 90s. Paul enjoyed being part of the Kernelburner partnership, traveling to many different communities to sell this corn burning stove. And if you ever needed to get rid of tires or iron pieces, Paul was the man to come to!
On Nov. 5, 1983, Paul was united in marriage to Priscilla Hofer at Hutterthal Mennonite Church, rural Freeman, S.D. In 1987, they were blessed with one daughter, Michelle. As a family, with the help of Mike Wise, they farmed in the Alexandria, S.D., area until 2012. Paul and Priscilla sold the home acreage to Mike and moved to Freeman.
As a young man, Paul accepted Jesus as his personal Savior at camp and was baptized by Rev. Peter Tschetter at the Neu Hutterthal Mennonite Church, rural Bridgewater, S.D. On Aug. 22, 2004, Paul became a member of the Hutterthal Mennonite Church. He enjoyed serving there as a trustee for six years. Paul was also a member of the Freeman Gideon Camp where he was serving as a Chaplain until his health failed. Paul’s faith was very important to him and he lived it daily by being a witness to others.
Paul relished the time spent with his grandchildren, Bridget and Landon, and looked forward to every visit. Bridget enjoyed her daily stops at Casey’s after grandpa would pick her up from the bus stop. Landon would always quiz grandpa on the latest John Deere tractor available.
Paul was a generous and kind soul, always wearing his heart on his sleeve. He was always willing to help when needed or be a mentor to the younger farmers in the area. He assisted with meals-on-wheels and enjoyed helping to prepare Schmeckfest foods such as kuchen, sausage, and cottage cheese pockets. He loved to visit and enjoyed his local Total Stop group. He enjoyed his nightly TV basketball games, monthly trips down to the Old Iron Tractor Club in Yankton with friends, working cattle with his son-in-law, Eric, and his drives around the countryside.
Those remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Priscilla Hofer, Freeman; daughter Michelle (Eric) Neuharth, Freeman; his two grandchildren Bridget and Landon; four sisters: Selma (David) Mendel, Sioux Falls, S.D., Bernice (Dave) Kiner, Oklahoma City, Okla., Caroline (John) Gallo, Pleasant Prairie, Wis., and Katy Ann Dierks, Kirksville, Mo.; three sister-in-law’s: Jeanette Hofer, Sioux Falls, Genevieve Hofer, Freeman, and Ann Marie (Gene) Reiling, Rapid City, S.D.; one brother-in-law; Donald (Marj) Hofer, Freeman; and many nieces and nephews.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Paul K. and Margaret Hofer; parents-in-law Marvin and Kathryn Hofer; five brothers and two sisters-in-law: Solomon (Rose), Clarence (Joyce), Willard, Dwane, and Joe Danny; one brother-in-law, Dennis Dierks; and one nephew, Steven Hofer.
Memorials may be directed to the Gideon’s International.
