Arthur Hoffer

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. Your Many Loved Ones and Friends₦ Proud World War II U. S. Army Veteran, Arthur Hoffer, 80, died early Sunday morning, November 13, at his home in Las Cruces, NM, from complications resulting from an accidental fall on November 11, Veterans Day, 2005. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Friday, November 18, at Getz Funeral Home in Las Cruces. Funeral services will be at 10 AM, Saturday, November 19, at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the Veterans' section of Hillcrest Memorial Gardens (Las Cruces). Art was born in Roscoe, SD, on February 20, 1925, to Fred and Christina (Weiderrich) Hoffer, both new U.S. Citizens from Neudorf, Russia. He was the 10th of 12 children. On July 27, 1944, Art entered the Army and served in the European African Theater where he distinguished himself receiving seven military citations and awards. After his service, he returned to Roscoe, where he soon "ran over" (literally, while roller skating) his soon-to-be wife, Clara M. Adam. On October 31, 1948, Art and Clara married (with witches and goblins watching the festivities and for the next 57 years). In 1950, Art and Clara and their two children Wayne R. and Peggy L. moved to Black Hills (Ordnance) Army Depot (BHAD), Igloo, SD. There they had two more girls, Cynthia K. and Jacqueline R. It was Igloo that the family called "home" and met numerous lifetime friends. Art started his 30-year career as a Department of Army Civilian at Igloo, and together, Art and Clara, supported their tiny community, managing the roller rink and teen club and chaperoning dances and hayrides for all the kids in southeastern SD. In June 1965, the family moved to Las Cruces, when the BHAD was "closed". Art finished his federal career at White Sands Missile Range as a Communications Manager, retiring in May 1980. In retirement, Art and Clara were active members of the Dona Ana Peppers Chapter of Good Sam's, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Active and Retired Federal Employees, and Bethlehem (Peace) and Trinity Lutheran Churches and avid supporters of the "Roadrunners" and Aggies. Art was preceded in death last year by his beloved baby girl, Jacqueline Smith, and in his family, by his mother and father; his sisters and sisters-in-law, Grace, Philipina H., Lucretia, Anna, Magdalina, Alma, and Philipina R.; his brothers and brothers-in-law, Manford, Edwin, Jacob V., Jacob H, Ervin, Jacob B., and Harold (SD/ND/MN); and some nieces and nephews. Art also was preceded in death by numerous pet cats, dogs, chickens, and turtles his kids dragged home and begged him to keep, because they swore they would take care of them (oh sure). His survivors include, his wife, Clara; his dog, Sammee; six turtles, each of which he marked with pretty red fingernail polish to be sure he could tell them apart when he fed them dog food and lettuce; his son, Wayne, and his family, Debra (wife) and grandchildren, Elizabeth (Hoffer) Guynn and Rebecca and Andrew Hoffer (CA); his daughter, Peggy Hoffer (NM); his daughter, Cindy Lynch and her husband, Gary (NM); and son-in-law, Floyd (Bubba) Smith, and grandchildren, Tuesday Smith, Candice Leinart and Bryan (husband), and Lance "Arthur" Smith (NM/TX/CA). Art also had three wonderful great grandchildren, Payton Dutton (Leinart) and Adalia and Jalen Hart (TX). In his family, he is survived by his sisters, Martha Hoffer (SD), Edna (Hoffer) Bauer (ND), and Lorraine (Hoffer) Roemmick (SD); his baby brother, Mervin, and Lorraine (wife) (MN); and many nieces and nephews from coast to coast; some proudly serving in the Army and other Services, here and abroad, and in their uncles' footsteps. The Hoffer family thanks you for sharing with them your prayers, thoughts, and happy memories, and in lieu of flowers, requests donations be sent to the Trinity Lutheran Memorial Fund, 2900 Elks Drive, Las Cruces, NM. Art, we love you and will be joining you and the others soon. PDF Printable Version