Naomi Hofer: 1929-2023
Naomi Hofer, 93, of Bridgewater, S.D., left this earth for her heavenly home on April 3, 2023. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 14 at First Baptist Church of Emery, S.D. Visitation will be Thursday, April 13 at the church from 5 to 7 p.m., with a time of sharing at 7 p.m.
Naomi was born to Andrew and Barbara Wollman on April 10, 1929, in Menno, S.D. She attended a country school and completed her high school education at Freeman Academy. She married Theodore (Ted) Hofer on Sept. 5, 1948, at the Salem Mennonite Brethren Church. During their first year of marriage, they purchased the family farm two miles northwest of Dolton, S.D. Naomi knew the value of teamwork working with Ted in their dairy business until 1990 when they retired to Bridgewater.
Naomi enjoyed cooking, baking, and tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. She enjoyed sharing her hospitality of cooking and baking traditional German food with family, neighbors, friends, pastors and missionaries. Spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her great joy. She enjoyed exercising each day either indoors or outside walking or riding her bike.
Naomi faithfully attended First Assembly in Sioux Falls, S.D., for over 55 years. They enjoyed traveling on several church sponsored mission’s trips. Naomi was an active member of the Christian Women’s Club in Freeman, S.D., serving in various capacities. Also, Naomi was a faithful blood donor for over 40 years.
During retirement, Naomi volunteered weekly at the Et Cetera MCC Thrift Shoppe in Freeman. She volunteered for more than 10 years at the Diamond Care Nursing Home in Bridgewater. Naomi enjoyed supporting her husband Ted with his home business “Country Time Woodworking,” as well as attending many craft shows and school auctions while making many friends along the way.
Music was an important part of Naomi’s life. She enjoyed playing the piano at home, at church, and in the nursing home for residents at Diamond Care Nursing Home. She made sure all her children took piano lessons and participated in band. Naomi enjoyed gospel music concerts and the annual community musical at the Schmeckfest held in Freeman.
Naomi had a strong faith in God, church and family. We always knew she would be praying for us. Even in her last years of memory loss, she would continue to bless us with her prayers for her entire family. One of her comforting comments was “For this we have Jesus.” She spoke of Jesus and Heaven often and was bold about sharing her faith with others at the Tieszen Nursing Home.
She is survived by her four children: Arlo (Pam) Hofer, Bridgewater; JoLynn (Robyn) Keller, Bismarck, N.D.; Twila (Kevin) Conklin, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; Phil (Kathy) Hofer, Bridgewater; 11 grandchildren: Jason (Jennifer), Darrin (Nikki), Heidi (Tyler), Keith (Sarah), Zachary (Nicole), Christopher (Amanda), Tiffany (Isaiah), Nicholas, Emily (Tyler), Tasha, Travis (Sage); and 21 great-grandchildren: Haley, Marah, Carter, Ava, Riley, Liam, Lucy, Alivia, Finn, Grayson, Gavin, Quinn, Mathias, Emma, Olivia, Nora, Elias, Sawyer, Ariah, Ralstyn and Miles.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Barbara Wollman; her husband, Ted Hofer; two sisters and three brothers.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers and the staff of Tieszen Memorial and Hospice care for their loving care during mom’s final days.
Memorials will be shared equally between the Et Cetera Shoppe and Gideon’s International.
