Hofer, Sarah Gross (1887-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Feb 27 p. 8

Birth date: 1887 Nov 4

text of obituary:

MRS. DARIUS HOFER

Mrs. Sarah Gross Hofer, daughter of David and Sarah Hofer Gross, was born Nov. 4, 1887, on a farm three miles south of Olivet, S. D. She passed away Jan. 31, 1958, in the Sacred Heart Hospital at Yankton at the age of 70 years, two months and 24 days.

After catechism instruction and upon confession of faith, she was baptized by Rev. John Hofer on May 27, 1906, and became a member of the Hutterdorf church near Freeman, S. D. She later transferred her membership to the Neu Hutterthal church near Bridgewater.

Our mother never had the privilege of attending school, yet through self-endeavor and the help of members of the family she learned to read both German and English. She was more skillful in mathematics than many who attended school.

On Dec. 9, 1906 she was joined in holy matrimony with Darius Hofer, Elder Paul Tschetter officiating. They established their home along the James River three miles west and one mile north of Menno, S. D. To this union six children were born. Many joys as well as sorrows accompanied this union in pioneer life. In 1956 our parents were permitted to observe their golden wedding anniversary.

While attending evangelistic meetings during the early thirties, mother received assurance of sins forgiven after many years of spiritual conviction and struggle. It was through the song, “Ich weiss das main nahme dort steht,” that she claimed the promise that her name was written there. A family altar was established, and mother had the joy of being instrumental in leading all her children to accept Christ as their Savior.

She enjoyed comparatively good health during most of her lifetime. About 12 years ago she was informed that she had diabetes. In September of 1955 she underwent major surgery and recovered completely. For several years she complained of heart pains. These increased and on Jan. 16 she entered the hospital. During her 15-day stay in the hospital she suffered several severe attacks, and realized that her life’s journey was drawing to a close, she repeatedly assured us that she was yielded to the Lord’s calling and was ready to die.

After 51 years of true companionship, the Lord saw fit to break this union with her beloved husband, Darius. Also left to mourn her departure are one daughter, Sarah (Mrs. Joe P. Hofer, Dolton); four sons, Joe G. and Herbert of Menno, Jacob and Darius of Freeman; four daughters-in-law; one son-in-law; eight grandchildren; and one brother Joe of Doland, S. D. One brother-in-law and four sisters-in-law as well as a host of relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by one daughter, three grandchildren, her parents, one sister and five brothers.

Funeral services were held at the New Hutterthal Church near Bridgewater on Feb. 2 with Rev. Albert Ewert officiating and Rev. J. J. Kleinsasser assisting. A girls trio and a men’s quartet supplied the music. The pallbearers were all nephews of the deceased. – The family.