Funeral Services for Elmer Hoffer, age 92 of Regent, will be held at 1:30pm Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Faith Lutheran Church in Regent with Pastor Joe Burgess, officiating. Burial will be in the Regent Cemetery with full military honors afforded by the Ulmer-Zich American Legion Post #273 of Regent.


A family service will be held at 7:00pm on Friday evening at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Mott.


Special music will be provided by Sally Donner, organist, Joyce Richardson and Brooke Stewart.


Serving as casketbearers are Doug Bolte, Brad Gatzke, Dennis Stang, Gary Kunze, Norman Moe, and Clyde Walker. All of Elmer's grandchildren and friends are considered honorary bearers.


Elmer was born on May 2, 1919 in Wagendorf Township south of Regent, ND, the first son of Christ and Elizabeth (Bradner) Hoffer. He grew up on the family farm which later became his own.


He enlisted into the United States Army in October of 1941. He returned home from the Army and began his life's work of farming. He married Alma Gatzke on June 5, 1947 in Regent at Faith Lutheran Church. They were married 64 years and blessed with three children, Lyle, Shirley, and Connie.


Elmer enjoyed bowling with his wife. They bowled in many tournaments. The children often joke about growing up in a bowling alley.


Elmer had a gift for conversation. He enjoyed talking with friends, family, and anyone who just had the time to share stories. Elmer also had a soft spot in his heart for animals. His mother always said that if she was looking for him that he could be found with the dog. Most of all, he loved driving out to the farm with his son, Lyle who shared in his passion for farming God's land. Elmer was a very giving and kind man. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.


Elmer passed onto the Lord at his home in Regent on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, surrounded by his loving family.


He was a member of the American Legion for 65 years, Faith Lutheran Church, and the Regent Senior Citizens.


Surviving family members include his wife, Alma; son, Lyle, both of Regent, ND; 2 daughters, Shirley (Duane) Meschke, Forest Grove, OR, and Connie (Michael) Stewart, Bismarck, ND, four grandchildren, Todd Meschke, Chad Meschke, Brooke Stewart, and Sheryl Stewart; and one sister, Edna Nester, Dickinson, ND.


He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Reinhold, Robert, and Rueben, and two sisters, Esther Kunze and Lorraine Stang.


Visitation will be on Friday from 1:00 to 7:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Mott and on Saturday one hour prior to services at Faith Lutheran Church in Regent.