CJ STOFFER

STOFFER, CLAYPOOL, MCQUATTERS, MAGNUSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/10/2009 at 11:09:15

Hudson Star Observer, Hudson, Wisconsin
July 3, 2009

CJ Stoffer, 69, of Hudson, Wisconsin formerly of Manly, Iowa, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, June 26, after a long battle with cancer. A celebration of CJ’s life is at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly, Iowa. Officiating at the service will be his close friends and pastors, Larry and Joan Goebel of Superior, Wis., David Jore of River Falls, Wis., and Robert Cummings of West Branch, Iowa. According to his wishes, CJ’s body will be cremated. Interment will be at Sunset Rest Cemetery located in Northwood, Iowa, at a later date. Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, at Bride Colonial Chapel in Manly, Iowa.

CJ Stoffer was born Dec. 24, 1939, in Hampton, Iowa, the son of Cornelius and Alma (Claypool) Stoffer. CJ was baptized in the Methodist faith and later confirmed in the Reformed faith. He was a 1957 graduate of Alexander High School in Alexander, Iowa. In 1960, CJ married Linda McQuatters, the love of his life, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Manly, Iowa, and to this union three children were born, Deborah, John and Daniel. CJ began his career on the Rock Island Railroad in 1958 through 1980. He worked various positions including telegrapher, station agent, train dispatcher and chief train dispatcher at locations in Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. In 1981 CJ was instrumental in the start-up of the Iowa Northern Railway Company working as general manager. In 1986 CJ became president of the IANR. CJ retired from IANR in 1992 at 53 years of age as a proud railroad man. To keep active in his retirement years, CJ held two part-time jobs. He worked for Hogan-Bremer Funeral Home in Mason City, Iowa, and Rose Floral in Stillwater, Minn.

CJ was very active in his career and community. CJ served on the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Rail Transportation; was a member of the Advisory Council for the Midwest Transportation Center at Iowa State University; served as president of the Iowa Regional and Short Line Railroad Association; served on the board of directors for the American Association of Railroad Superintendents; served on the Agri-Industry Transportation Practices and Needs Sub-committee of the study on transportation in Iowa by the Public Policy Center at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Northwest Area Foundation and the Iowa Business Council; served on the Advisory Committee for the Midwest Transportation Center at Iowa State University which serves Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas; served on the Iowa Governor Advisory Committee on Rail Transportation; served six years as president of the Iowa Regional and Short Line Railroad Association; received the Iowa Governor’s Leadership Award; was recognized is in the Who’s Who in Iowa Railroading publication; served on the North Central Community School Board of Education for 18 years (16 as board president); was a member of the Manly Lions Club, served six years on the Manly City Council; served three terms on the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Council in Manly; served on the Bethel United Methodist Church Trustee Committee in Manly; served several terms on the Manly Planning and Zoning Board; former member of Masonic Lodge Rainbow 625AF & AM; and served on the County Budget Review Committee. After retirement, CJ also served on numerous committees and volunteer organizations in Hudson. CJ enjoyed spending time with his family especially his best friend and wife, Linda, and they were inseparable. CJ and Linda enjoyed traveling, attending Broadway musicals and exploring the beautiful St. Croix Valley in Hudson. One might typically find CJ fishing with his grandchildren, volunteering at his church, riding around on his old red bike, attending grandchildren sporting activities, attending Minnesota Vikings football games, spending countless hours delivering Meals on Wheels and assisting elderly people with their daily needs in the community, or having coffee with fellow railroad retirees and friends. He loved his family and his little dog Maggie and the time he spent with all of them. CJ will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish CJ’s memory are his wife of 49 years, Linda of Hudson, Wis.; three children and their families, Deb (Stoffer) Magnuson and her husband Jeff Magnuson of Hudson; John and Sue Stoffer of Hudson; Dan and Amy Stoffer of Stillwater, Minn.; six grandchildren, Stephanie Magnuson of Canton, S.D.; Amber Magnuson of Harrisburg, S.D.; Brian Magnuson of Hudson; Jonny Stoffer of Hudson; Erica Stoffer of Hudson; Benjamin Stoffer of Stillwater; and one great-grand child, Tate CJ Magnuson of Canton, SD. CJ was looking forward to the addition of one more grandchild who is expected to arrive in September. CJ was preceded in death by his parents and mother and father in-law. Handling the arrangements was Bride Colonial Chapel in Manly, Iowa.