A service of remembrance was held Monday, Feb. 23, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson for Harry E. Hoffman, 90, of Jefferson.
The Rev Timothy A. Jones, pastor of the church, offered words of comfort. Mark Erickson was organist for congregational singing. Honorary bearers were members of the Jefferson Kiwanis Club, Regency Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center staff, the Trinity Lutheran Gospel Gladiators (junior youth group), Vern Foje, Patricia Stott, Tina Binkley, Rhonda Randleman, Amy Dirks, Bobbi Scheffler, Diane Kennedy, Nathan Kennedy, Dick Pound, Karen Pound, Lois Rae Brant, Darla Johnson and Ruth Goshon.
Casket bearers were Jim Giese, Denny Goshon, Jeff Brophy, Al Robson, Lynn Menz and Al Jensen. Interment was at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home of Jefferson assisted the family.
Harry Hoffman was born Feb. 13, 1925 in Leola, SD. He was the son of John K. and Christina Rath Hoffman. Harry was baptized on April 9, 1925 at Hope Lutheran ALC in McPherson County, SD. He was confirmed and took his first communion on June 25, 1939 at St. James Lutheran Church in Leola.
Harry was united in marriage to Violet Hoffman on October 16, 1949 at St. James Lutheran Church in Leola, South Dakota. They farmed and ranched in South Dakota until 1972. Harry received the Northern Plains Hereford Association’s Champion Heifers Award in 1970. He served on Township School and Governing Boards in McPherson County. He also served as chairman of St. James’s Brotherhood.
Harry and Violet moved to Jefferson in 1972 and owned and operated the Coast to Coast store in Jefferson, retiring in 1991. Harry was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. He served as an usher, trustee, and elder. For morethan 35 years he was part of the Trinity Fellowship Society.
As an active member of the community, Harry belonged to the Jefferson Kiwanis Club, where he achieved a 38-year perfect attendance award. Twice he was recognized as Kiwanis Volunteer of the year. In 2001 Harry was honored with the Kiwanis International George Hixon Award.
In other community activities, Harry served with Community Betterment, and he was a member of Trees Forever. His hobbies included volunteering, landscaping, gardening, golf, playing cards with friends, cooking and helping in the kitchen. His favorite vacation spot was the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Harry will be remembered for his Christian service-minded ethics, and his ever-ready million dollar smile!
Harry Hoffman died Feb. 19, 2015 at the age of 90 years. Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Arthur and Luther.
Survivors include his wife Violet Hoffman of Jefferson; his brothers Leo Hoffman of Leola, SD, and Clarence (Lynn) Hoffman of Denison; his sister Vera (Walter) Job of Sisseton, SD; Violet’s brother Gerhard Hoffman of Eureka, SD; 36 nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the local Trees Forever and Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson.
