Earl Hoffbeck
Earl N. Hoffbeck, 94, of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, passed away of pneumonia on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at the Redwood Area Hospital while surrounded by his family.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at St. John Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment is in the Redwood Falls Cemetery.
Earl Hoffbeck was born August 2, 1924, on the family farm in Three Lakes Township, Redwood County, to George and Ella (Nielsen) Hoffbeck. He was baptized August 31, 1924, and confirmed June 12, 1938, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Gilfillan. Earl attended a one-room school house country school near Morgan. He entered the US Army on December 1, 1945, and served as an amphibian truck driver during WWII. Earl received his honorable discharge on Nov. 21, 1946, and returned home to begin farming. Earl enjoyed roller skating and met the love of his life, Shirley Kirschstein, at the roller rink. On September 30, 1951, the couple was united in marriage at the Methodist Church in Springfield. Together they lived, raised five children and farmed near Redwood Falls. Earl always took a lot of pride in his farm. He had a prized herd of registered Holstein dairy cattle, and sold Grade A milk to Land-O-Lakes and later, to AMPI. He also raised corn and soybeans as well as Yorkshire boars and gilts, including a Grand Champion Boar. Earl also raised purebred Spitz puppies. Education was very important to Earl, and he encouraged and helped his family continue their post-secondary educations. He played the concertina and harmonica. Earl will be remembered for his sense of humor and his storytelling. He took great care of his vehicles and was proud of his sports cars. He also enjoyed riding motorcycle and snowmobile. In his younger years, Earl enjoyed playing softball and horseshoes.
Earl is survived by his children: Deborah Hoffbeck of Lynchburg, VA., Patricia (Nathan) Freeman of Northfield, Randy (Leanne) Hoffbeck of Alexandria, Rodney Hoffbeck of Redwood Falls and Valerie (Todd) Nelson of Minneapolis; granddaughters, Alisha (Daniel) Norman and Krista Hoffbeck; great-granddaughters, Sylvia and Evie Norman; siblings: Viola Dahmes of Redwood Falls, Alvin (Ardith) Hoffbeck of Tracy and Floyd Hoffbeck of Redwood Falls; sisters-in-law, Alvina Hoffbeck of Morgan and Evelyn “Evie” Hoffbeck of Marshall; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; grandson, Bryce Lange; brothers, Raymond, Vernon, Norman and Francis “Fritz” Hoffbeck; brother-in-law, LaVerne Dahmes; and sisters-in-law, Darlene, Lois and Joyce Hoffbeck.
Stephens Funeral Service — Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.