LaVerne Hoefer of Thief River Falls, passed away on Thursday, August 30, 2018.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 4, at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Thief River Falls, with Pastor Bert Foster officiating. Interment followed at St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery, Thief River Falls. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.
LaVerne Lawrence Hoefer was born on January 31, 1937 in South Dakota, the son of Andrew and Sarah (Schmidt) Hoefer. As a child he moved with his family to northern Minnesota and attended school in St. Hilaire and Thief River Falls.
LaVerne served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959, serving in Germany for a year. He lived forty-seven years in Arizona working in the oil fields and steel plants. He married Patricia Stillwell in 1966. In his retirement years, LaVerne and Patricia moved to rural Thief River Falls.
LaVerne loved the outdoors, cutting wood for his shop where he would create projects from the wood. For many years he joined his three brothers harvesting wheat and soybeans on his brother’s farm. He was a master at driving one of the combines and had recently completed eight days of harvesting wheat. This was also a great reminiscing time with the brothers.
LaVerne was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Thief River Falls where he participated in the Men’s Group on Saturday mornings and Sunday worship.
LaVerne is survived by his three brothers, Floyd Hoefer of Fuquay-Varina, NC, Earl (Eileen) Hoefer of Thief River Falls, Donald (Patricia) of Orlando, FL, sister-in-law, Kathy Hoefer of Ocala, FL, Teck Kezar, of Middle River, aunt, Leona Bevolden of Red Lake Falls, many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
LaVerne is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, parents, sister Eldora Kezar, brothers Alvin Hoefer and Lloyd Hoefer, and sister-in-law, Donna Hoefer.