Hoffmann, George J. (1921-2008)

HOFFMANN, WILTGEN, BARTOSH, WEIL, PIETZYK, ERDMANN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/8/2008 at 07:45:10

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, April 7, 2008

George J. Hoffmann, 86, of Merrill, was taken to heaven on eagles wings Friday, April 4, 2008, from Indian Hills Hospice Care Unit in Sioux City.

George J. Hoffmann was born Nov. 8, 1921, the son of Theodore F. & Elizabeth (Wiltgen) Hoffmann. He attended country school in Johnson #5 Township and St. Joseph's Catholic School in Le Mars. He served his country in the Armed Forces from 1942 until being honorably discharged in 1945. During WWII he served with the HDQTRS Division 1881st as a Caterpillar mechanic for 3 years, 3 months and 3 days. He was stationed in the Phillipines, New Guinea and Leyte. In recent years, he was fortunate enough to travel throughout the United States attending reunions with his fellow 1881st servicemen.

On June 4, 1946, he married the love of his life, Fidelis Bartosh, in Heron Lake, Minn. They lived their life together on a farm west of Merrill. He began farming as a young boy on his Dad's farm. He continued this career his entire life, a career he very much loved and enjoyed. Having been a perfectionist, his farming was meticulous. His motto was, "If you're going to do something, do it right." And for George, that meant ALWAYS using International Harvester tractors and farm equipment.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church at Ellendale where he was a Mass server and an usher. He was a member of the Oleson Halweg American Legion Post #125 where he was honored for serving over 50 years.

George was a soft spoken, gentle soul with a kind spirit. He was always willing to offer a helping hand and a kind word to his loved ones. He would spend his days out in the field coming up with humorous puns or jokes to share with his family in the evening. In recent months he made sure to tell his family just how much he loved each and every one of them.

To have known George was a privilege, to have been his friend was an honor and to be loved by him was one of the greatest gifts of all. He is a hero to many of us and a shining example of what we should all aspire to be. There is no measurement to describe just how much he will be missed.

Survivors include his wife, Fidelis Hoffmann of Merrill; his son, Marty and his wife, Donna, also of Merrill; three daughters and their husbands; Kathy and Denny Weil of Dakota Dunes, S.D., Gayle and Larry Pietzyk of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Diane and Mike Erdmann of Omaha, Neb.; one dozen grandchildren; Ted, Shawn, Jeff, Tracy, Christopher, Brigitte, Phillip, Carrie Ann, Aaron, Nathan, Melissa & Shannon; nine great-grandchildren; Luke, Jayse, Brittany, Shelby, Austin, Walker, Vincent, Aislynn and Evan; a brother, Pete Hoffmann of LaPuente, Calif.; special nephews Jerry and Tom Hoffmann and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Martin Hoffmann, Albert Hoffmann, Father Edward Hoffmann, Louie Hoffmann and Infant Great-Grandchild, Graysie Lynn Weil.

Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church - Ellendale, rural Merrill, with the Rev. Daniel Greving officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion, Oleson-Halweg Post #125. Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church - Ellendale from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today (Monday) with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Monday evening. Visitation will also be for one hour prior to the funeral on Tuesday morning at the Church. The Feuerstein Funeral Home of Le Mars is in charge of arrangements.