Elsie A. Hofman

Elsie A. Hofman

Aug.11, 1918 - April 16, 2015

IMPERIAL, Neb. -- Elsie A. Hofman was born on the family farm west of Elwood, Nebraska, on Aug. 11, 1918, the fourth child of Emil and Mary (Marquardt) Gruber.

Elsie attended country school and parochial grade school and graduated from Elwood High School. She obtained a normal teaching certificate from Kearney State College and taught in country and parochial grade schools for about five years.

Elsie married Walter A. Hofman on Aug. 26, 1941, at Salem Lutheran Church, southwest of Elwood. Four sons were born to them in Imperial, Nebraska. Elsie became a homemaker for the remainder of her life.

She was member of Zion Lutheran Ladies Aide of Imperial and LWML. She was a Sunday School teacher for some forty years. She was a "pink lady," serving the patients of Chase County Hospital. Elsie also taught vacation Bible school and was a den mother.

Elsie was a loving and dedicated mother and wife. She and Walter enjoyed playing their guitars. She enjoyed her flowers and vegetable gardening and canned countless jars of fruits and vegetables for her family. She also had a button collection, which included a button from every state and many foreign countries. She and Walter enjoyed many camping trips with their children. Elsie instilled a love for reading in their children by reading to them daily.

Elsie passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Thursday evening, April 16, 2015, at Imperial Manor Nursing Home in Imperial, Nebraska. She was 96 years of age.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, in 2009; a grandson, Brad, and her three brothers.

Elsie is survived by her four sons, Kenneth Hofman and wife, Sharon, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Glenn Hofman and wife, Carol, of Elwood, Nebraska; Donnie Hofman and wife, Amy, of Land Harbor Newland, North Carolina and Stanley Hofman of Champion, Nebraska; 18 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services were today,Monday, April 20, 2015, at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial with Pastor David Kahle officiating. Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial. Organ selections were by Dr. J. Gordon Christensen and the vocal choir was led by Joel Grosbach.

Visitation was Sunday, April 19, 2015, at the funeral home in Imperial.

A memorial has been established to The Lutheran Hour.

Online condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

Liewer Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.