Leland J. Hofer, 81

Leland J. Hofer, 81, of Bridgewater, S.D., was born Oct. 11, 1943 to John M. and Maureen (Walter) Hofer. He passed away Aug. 29, 2025 when his heart was too weak for surgery and his kidneys were failing and he chose not to do dialysis. A memorial service was held Sept. 3 at Walter’s Funeral Home, Freeman, S.D.

Leland attended country school through the eighth grade and his freshman year at Bridgewater High School. Then he began doing what he truly loved, which was growing crops and raising livestock. If you knew Leland at all, you knew that he followed the grain and livestock markets closely and remembered to the penny what corn, beans and cattle were bringing. He enjoyed going to the sale barns in Mitchell, S.D., and Yankton, S.D., not only to see what cattle were selling for but also to socialize, drive around and eat out. He continued to follow the livestock sales online while living at the Diamond Care Center.

He served in the 1-W program from 1965-1967 working in housekeeping at Sioux Valley Hospital (Sanford).

He lived with his parents on their farm until their passing. He lived there the majority of his life until March 2021 when he moved to the Diamond Care Center in Bridgewater. Even then he took every opportunity to socialize with other residents, made and received many phone calls and visits from friends and was elated when someone would pick him up to go driving around and eat out, often for the entire day.

In a conversation on Friday, Aug. 22 in his hospital room, he indicated the he felt that he had accepted Jesus into his heart. But now he wanted to be sure and in his hospital bed, he prayed to ask Jesus into his heart as his Lord and Savior. Leland values your friendship and wishes if you haven’t made that decision that you do so now as you never know how much time you have and he doesn’t want this to be goodbye, but rather he’ll see you again when we meet in heaven.

Leland is survived by many cousins and friends.