Hofer, Joshua S. (1878-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Mar 19 p. 1

Birth date: 1878 May 6

text of obituary:

SERVICES FOR FREEMAN COMMUNITY LEADER WIDELY ATTENDED

Freeman, S. D. — The Bethel Mennonite church here was filled to overflowing as funeral services were held for Joshua S. Hofer, prominent retired farmer and leader in church and school activities in this community. He passed away at the Huron hospital at the age of 74.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Apr 9 p. 8

text of obituary:

JOSHUA S. HOFER

Joshua S. Hofer was born to Joseph and Susanna Tschetter Hofer in Hutchinson county, South Dakota, on May 6, 1878, and died in St John’s hospital in Huron at 2:40 p.m. March 5, 1953, at the age of 74 years, nine months and 29 days.

He had been ill for several years, and this winter he could not survive an attack of the flu. For several years he was cared for in love and devotion by the youngest son and wife, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hofer, who made every effort to care for our parents.

He was the eighth of 10 children, three having preceded him in death. His boyhood was spent on the farm in Hutchinson county where he attended school and church and endured the privations of pioneer life.

He was married to Anna Mendel Dec. 4, 1898, at Bridgewater, S. D. They lived on his father’s homestead until 1912 when the family moved to La Crosse, Wisc., where they lived for two school terms. In 1915 they moved to Huron to await final possession of the farm they had bought in Liberty township, where he resided until his death.

In August 1917 upon the confession of his faith he was baptized and taken into the membership of the Bethel church where he served faithfully. He held several positions in the church, using his talents wherever he could. He was general song leader and choir director for many years. He served as Sunday School teacher for several decades. A position of trust and sacrifice was his as a member of the building committee which constructed the present Bethel Church building.

He worked hard as a farmer, was a generous provider and gave his children a good education. His path was not one of roses. In 1926 a corn-picker accident cost him most of his right hand which pained him throughout his lifetime. The next spring a runaway by horses almost took his life and marred his right cheek. He patiently carried these misfortunes as well as the privations of the 1930's with trust in the Lord whom he faithfully served. He was a craftsman and had an inventive mind. Several applications for patents on small and large inventions were made, and he succeeded in patenting the first rubber roller for corn pickers.

He is survived by his wife Anna; four sons, Jake and Joe of Dinuba, Calif., David, who lived at home, and John M. of Yale; four daughters, Mrs. Joe A. Kleinsasser of Yale; Mrs. Paul P. M Hofer of Emery, Mrs. Theodore H. Walter of Lale [? sic Yale], and Mrs. Jake D. Gross of Hitchcock; 16 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; one brother, Jacob S. G. Hofer of Freeman, and five sisters, Mrs. Sam Z. Wipf of Bridgewater, Mrs. Mary Pullman of Freeman, Mrs. Barbara Hofer, Chicago, Mrs. Sam W. Glanzer of Bridgewater, and Mrs. David J. S. Mendel of Doland.

Funeral services were widely attended in the Bethel church on Sunday, March 8. Rev. Paul H. Bartel was in charge. – The Family.