HOEFKER, Gerhard L., Rev. 1864-1925

HOEFKER, GUTH

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 7/11/2012 at 10:16:40

Rev. G. L. Hoefker Died Wednesday

Rev. G. L. Hoefker is dead. He passed away Wednesday, after an illness of about three weeks, from the effects of an attack of the flu.

The funeral will be held at the Bode church west of Wellsburg, at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon, April 4, and interment will be made in that cemetery.

Rev. Hoefker was born in 1864, and entered the ministry in 1894. His first charge was at Ridott, Illinois. He took charge of the Christian Reformed church west of Wellsburg, now called the Bode church, Aug. 20, 1908, serving until December, 1917, when he went to Kanawha, where he has been pastor of the church there since.

About two years ago he was operated for cancer of the stomach and almost half of that organ is stated to have been removed. His health was seemingly restored and he held services in the morning, announcing that there would be services in the afternoon. When the people gathered in the afternoon, there was no pastor, Rev. Hoefker having succumbed to a sudden weakness and being forced to take to his bed. This was about three weeks ago and he was never up again. The end came Wednesday.

A fuller obituary of the deceased is to be printed in this paper next week.

--Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 8 April 1925

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Rev. Hoefker Is Laid To His Rest

The funeral of Rev. G. L. Hoefker was held at the Bode church west of Wellsburg Saturday afternoon. The services drew a very large crowd, all who came not being able to gain entrance to the church building, and a number of auto loads came and deposited their occupants, to find only standing room on the lawn.

The departed was known to many people hereabouts, and held in high regard for his splendid qualities. His family have the deep sympathy of all in their bereavement.

Obituary.
Rev. Hoefker was born June 22, 1864, in Wybelsum, near Emden, Germany. In 1887 he came to America and made his home near Grundy Center. Shortly after his arrival, the desire came to him that he might serve his Lord, Whom he had confessed at the Lincoln Center church.

Having had a fine preparatory training in his native country, he was able to finish his ministerial training within a very short time. He entered the Theological Seminary in Dubuque, and graduated with the class of 1894.

In 1900 he was united in marriage with Wilhelmina Guth, of Freeport, Ill. This union was blessed with five children, the oldest dying in infancy. He is survived by his bereaved widow and four children, Alvin, Anna, Carl and Adele.

Filled Four Pulpits.
As a minister of the gospel, Mr. Hoefker served four congregations within the Christian Reformed denomination--Ridott, Ill., for twelve years; Emden, Minn. (near Renville), for two years; Wellsburg, for nine years, and Kanawha since 1917.

He was a great Greek student, an ardent lover of the truth, a man of faith, one who walked with God. During his recent trials he showed great patience, and was a wonderful sufferer. He bore his cross with great courage, and was never heard complaining. He was remarkable in the midst of the shadow of death, his strong physique giving way to the terrible disease. Nevertheless, he had hope, and believed that his Lord knew what was best for him, and he resigned to that soverign will.

Burial at Wellsburg.
The last sacred rites were held first at Kanawha and then at Wellsburg. At Kanawha on Friday business was dispensed with during the afternoon. The services were in charge of Rev. D. Meyer and Rev. W. Bode, assisted by Rev. E. Van Farrowe and Rev. Telstadt.

On Saturday the remains were conveyed by auto to Wellsburg, where the services were held in the Bode church, conducted by the officials of Grundy College. The departed brother was president of the board of directors of Grundy College.

Rev. D. Plesscher, of Ackley, vice president of the board of directors, and W. Bode, president of the college, officiated, assisted by Rev. Landsiedel, Rev. Drake, Rev. Holtrop, Rev. Weeldreyer, and Rev. H. C. Bode.

Rev. Hoefker's consistory acted as pall-bearers. The Grundy College quartet gave a few selections.

The faculty of Grundy College was represented also by Prof. Clevering, Prof. Bajema, Prof. Plesscher, and Prof. Wezeman.

There were more than twenty ministers and professors present. The audience at Kanawha was so large that the spacious Norwegian church which had been obtained for the occasion was too small to accommodate the people, and the same was true at Wellsburg.

Rev. Hoefker was a man beloved by all who knew him. He served his age and generation well. May he rest in peace.

"Servant of God well done,
Rest from thy loved employ,
The battle fought, the victory won
Enter thy Master's joy.
Soldier of Christ, well done!
Praise be thy new employ;
And, while eternal ages run,
Rest in thy Saviour's joy!"

--Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 8 April 1925