Hofstetter, Christian G. (1872-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Nov 20 p. 8

Birth date: 1872 Jun 21

text of obituary:

C. G. HOFSTETTER

Christian G. Hofstetter, son of John E. and Catherine Hofstetter, was born in Hickory County, Missouri, near Elkton, on June 21, 1872. He was the youngest child in a family of 11 children.

When a young man, he and his family moved to Latham, Mo. After the move, he became a member of the Bethel Mennonite Church. He maintained an active interest in the church even after poor health limited his ability to attend and serve in it.

It was in the church that he met Bertha Welty, who became his wife. On Dec. 23, 1957, they had the joy of celebrating their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Christian and Bertha started their married life together on the farm on which she had been born. They raised eight children on this farm.

Christian was interested in machinery and people. Combining the two, he did custom work in addition to farming. This custom work was started around 1909 and continued until 1942. It included such things as threshing, well-drilling, shredding, sawing lumber, clover hulling and molasses-making. Droughts and depressions, successes and failures, were all seen in his life and shared by his family. In 1945 he retired from his farm and moved to Versailles. Although his body was no longer farming, his mind was. He continued to manage the family farm until his death.

Almost ten years ago he became gravely ill with cancer. The doctors believed he would not have long to live. However, God willed it otherwise. Gradually his strength built up until about two years ago when his health again began to decline. At this time he realized his mission on earth was finished and he expressed a longing to go to his Heavenly Home. He passed away on Oct. 25, 1958, at the age of 86 years, four months and three days.

He is survived by his wife, Bertha, of the home; four daughters, Mrs. Wade , Versailles, Mrs. Dorsey Hardin, Barnett, Ruth Hofstetter of Omaha, Nebr., and Pauline Hofstetter of the home; four sons, Orrie of Kearney, Nebr., Gideon of St. Louis, Ivan of Tipton and Wilbert of Florence. He also leaves 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. A son, Joseph, and all of his ten brothers and sisters have preceded him in death.

He will be remembered by his family as a strong and good man, one who loved God and was blessed by Him.

Funeral services were held from the Bethel Mennonite church Monday, Oct. 27, with Rev. Ernest Porzelius officiating. Hymns were sung by a quartet composed of Roy Gerber, Daniel Garber, Elmer Garber, and L. U. Aeshbacher, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Homer Garber.