Hofer, William M. (1884-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 4 Jun 1959 p. 10

Birth date: 1884

text of obituary:

WILLIAM M. HOFER

William M. Hofer was born to Michael and Elizabeth (Gross) Hofer on March 25, 1884, on a farm near Freeman, S. D. He grew to manhood on a farm near Freeman and attended public school in Freeman.

Upon his confession of faith he was baptized and became a member of the Hutterthal church. At a later date he moved to the Bridgewater vicinity. On June 6, 1954, he became a member of the Zion Mennonite church at Bridgewater.

He was united in marriage to Katherine Hofer on March 13, 1910. The Lord blessed this union with twelve children, two of which preceded him in death, one child in infancy and a daughter, Mrs. Mary Glanzer.

He was in excellent health all of his life until the last year when his health began to fail. Seeing his need, he renewed his faith in the Saviour. Within the past year he submitted to surgery twice, when his case was diagnosed as an incurable illness. He bore his pain patiently.

He died Sunday, March 29, 1959, at the home of his daughter Viola, Mrs. Ralph Handwerk, of Marin, S. D.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Katherine; three sons, Edmund, Martin and Mike of Bridgewater; seven daughters, Anna of Hitchcock, Betty, Mrs. Ed Glanzer, and Emma, Mrs. John Waldner of Carpenter, Clara, Mrs. Carl Miller of Charlotte, N. C., Susie, Mrs. Roy Erb of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ruth, Mrs. Mill Rinehart of Bridgewater, Viola, Mrs. Ralph Handwerk of Marion; 22 grandchildren; two brothers, George M. and Jake M. Hofer of Freeman; one sister, Katherine, Mrs. Jake Baurle of Unityville; and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Zion Mennonite church on Wednesday, April 1, at 2:00 p.m. Officiating ministers were Rev. Paul Dahlenburg and Rev. Mike J. Hofer. Interment was made in the Bridgewater cemetery.