Darlene Hofer, 86
Darlene Hofer 86, of Freeman, S.D., passed away surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, Aug. 11 at the Freeman Regional Nursing Home. A funeral service was held Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Hutterthal Mennonite Church of rural Freeman. Memorial gifts honoring Darlene may be given to Freeman Academy or Mennonite Central Committee.
Darlene was born Dec. 8, 1937, on a turkey farm just west of Freeman, to Paul and Tillie Waldner (née Hofer). She was the third of four daughters, following Violet Terveen and Ardella Gross, and joined by her younger sister Sharon Waltner. Her brother Martin Waldner passed away in infancy. Darlene had a joyful childhood, fondly recalling the time spent with her sisters and her close-knit extended family.
When Darlene was old enough for school she attended country school just a mile and a half from home before continuing her education at Freeman Academy with an additional year at Freeman Junior College. Darlene valued her educational experience and was grateful for the opportunities it provided. It was at Freeman Academy that she met her future husband, Norman Hofer. As classmates, they both pursued Teacher’s Training at Freeman Junior College and went on to teach in country schools for two years.
Throughout her life, Darlene was a deeply devoted Christian. Her spiritual journey began at Hutterdorf Mennonite Church, located just a mile east of the family farm. When Darlene’s father Paul passed away in 1955, the family transferred to Hutterthal Mennonite Church where Darlene was baptized by Reverend Abe Wiebe following her confession of faith on March 18, 1956.
Darlene and Norman were married on Aug. 18, 1957, at Hutterthal. Together the newly married couple bought a trailer house and moved it to Norman’s parents’ farm where they lived while they taught country school. During those early years of marriage, Norman’s mother, Annie, often had supper ready for them after their long days of teaching. Darlene loved her time living there, enjoying many evenings spent playing games in their trailer house.
After teaching, Darlene and Norman decided to go into 1W service. A visit to Norman’s sister Angie and Jonathan Mendel in Lititz, Penn., convinced Darlene and Norman to opt for service in nearby beautiful Lancaster. For their voluntary service, Norman worked in the pharmacy of the Lancaster General Hospital and Darlene worked at a market called Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill. It was there that they became friends of the owners of Stauffer’s and an honorary part of their large family. Those relationships formed in Lancaster during 1W service were cherished by Darlene and Norman for over 60 years.
Galen Jay was born while Darlene and Norman were still in Pennsylvania. When Galen was four months old the couple moved back to Freeman into Darlene’s childhood home with her mother, Tillie, and began farming. Grandma Tillie moved out when daughter Lori Ann was born 2 years later, and Vicki Sue arrived 5 years after that. In total, Darlene lived 82 of her 86 years in the very home in which she was born.
Darlene was actively involved in various roles including serving on the Freeman Academy Auxiliary, teaching Sunday school, mentoring youth as a sponsor, volunteering at the Et Cetera Shoppe, and working as a cook at the Salem Home.
To have known Darlene was to have known her hospitality. Darlene knew no stranger and often opened up her home and her kitchen to a wide array of visitors – friends from their PA days in 1W service, Mennonite-Your-Way visitors, Mennonite Conference attendees, college choir tour students, Hutterite Colony friends, and of course, genealogy and history-searching guests. Without exception, those that visited the home of Darlene and Norman felt the love and warmth of her hospitality.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Tillie; brother Martin Waldner, sister Sharon Waltner; her parents-in-law, Paul E. and Annie, step-father-in-law Sam Brockmueller; and her in-laws Archie Terveen, John Gross, Angie and Jonathan Mendel, Paul (Baylor) Hofer, Leo Tschetter, and Percy Brockmueller.
Darlene is survived by her husband Norman; children Galen (Stephanie Phibbs) Hofer, Lori (Mark) Ortman, and Vicki (Eric) Hofer-Holdeman; grandchildren Jordan (Kirsten) Ortman, Karina (Joel Boettger) Ortman, Madison (Kendrick Weaver) Hofer-Holdeman, Lucas Hofer-Holdeman, Gavin Hofer-Holdeman, and Micah Paul Hofer; beloved sisters Violet Terveen and Ardella Gross, brother-in-law Gordon Waltner; step in-laws Blanche Tschetter, Arlyss Brockmueller, Rudy and LaVonne Brockmueller; and many nieces and nephews.
