Roy H. Hofeldt

Roy H. Hofeldt, 90, formerly of rural Bancroft, Nebraska passed away Friday, September 29, 2017 at Heritage of Emerson in Emerson.  Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 6, 2017 at the Cornerstone Assembly of God Church in Pender; with Pastor Paul Malcomson officiating.  Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at Munderloh - Smith Funeral Home in Pender with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in St. Mark's Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Pender.  Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.  Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.  In 1927, Henry and Alta (Reisen) Hofeldt were expecting their first child, the doctor arrived via horse and buggy to the farm to deliver a baby on 9/11/27.   Ray R. was born at 12:30 a.m.  As the doctor was finished and headed out the door, Alta said “Doctor I am in a lot of pain and think there is something else down there.  The doctor reassured her that pain was normal. Alta let out a scream and as the doctor lifted the sheet, there was another head coming out!  Alas, Roy H. was born at 2:30 a.m. with quite a large gap in skull, no eye lashes, finger or toe nails, and the doctor concluded that the twins were in fact “fraternal” being conceived at different times. Roy and Ray are the 19th set of twins on the Reisen side of family tree. Three years later Fred arrived, and years later a brother lost in childbirth named Charles. Roy also had 3 half-brothers (Shorty, Wayne, and Robert “Buck”) from his dad’s first marriage with Lina (Bassett) Hofeldt who died in early 1920’s at a very young age.  The twins had an initial as their middle name, Ray R. (after their mom’s maiden name Reisen) and Roy H. (for the dad’s side, Hofeldt).   Roy, his twin Ray, along with little brother Fred were held back to enter school all at the same time at Springer Country School aka District 10 which was only 2 miles from their farm.  The boys all rode on one horse to school and parked it in the horse barn at school.  At lunch time, they would have to take the pony to the neighbors to give them water. Later all three boys graduated from Bancroft High School in 1948.  Roy knew the truth of the bible, and asked the Lord into his heart becoming “born again Christian”, and he was baptized in the Pacific Ocean as a teenager.   Roy was registered for the service, but when his dad was killed, the military told him he had to stay home and take care of his mom and the family farm (honorable discharge).  His dad, Henry, was killed while driving a tractor and it tipped over.  As he fell off, it landed on top of him.  Roy was fixing the roof of the home and witnessed it, jumping close to 25 foot to the ground to help his father.  The doctor arrived on horse and instructed them to say their goodbyes.  He died in his sons arms as the tractor was lifted.  Roy continued to take care of his mother, farm, and livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, hogs).   Roy met an attractive young school teacher 1954 named Marian Mae Dahlman and married on May 20th, 1956 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender.  On their 4th wedding anniversary their first child Michael Roy was born, and on July 2nd, 1962 a sister Maridee Rae was born. The first girl in three generations on Roy’s mothers side.  The doctor told them, that Roy getting the mumps at age 34 jarred loose a gene that hadn’t been active for years.   Roy continued farming, raising cattle, hogs, chickens, and was very successful in raising Cheviot sheep for years.  Roy was on numerous board of directors; ASCS, Bancroft, Coop, 4-H, etc.  Roy and Marian created a group because of their love of kids called “Super-Teens”.  They did this for years and kids from this group keep in contact with Maridee till this day because of the impact Roy and Marian had on them.      In 1968, Nebraska celebrated its Centennial and Roy grew a beard (which was very easy for him).  He won First-Place at several County Fairs and eventually received 2nd at the Nebraska State Fair.  As Roy’s family traveled people acted as his he was famous as his photo was shared across the state and people would ask for his autograph.    Roy had a corn shelling business for many years, farmed area land for others and did custom combining.  Roy was Nellie House Cravens personal assistant, and farmed her ground till her death in 1974.  He was blessed with carpenter skills, self-taught, and built his family a lovely home, adding on rooms every couple years. Roy became quite an accomplished wood artisan making detailed wood toys, to extravagant china hutches.  With his wife being an artist, they were always creating gifts for family and friends.   They opened their dining room offering flower arrangements for sale.  Having customers open the door while eating meals, bathing, etc, they decided to build a store on the farm.  Roy built the “House of Creations” onto their home which was as large as a home itself in 1974.  This unique craft and hobby drew customers from across the country.  They kept a guest book which recorded visitors from every state, and over 15 foreign countries.  Roy chauffeured Marian to deliver wedding cakes she made, and to craft shows to sell their creations, as she never did apply for a driver’s license.   Roy has left his mark around the world with the black walnut names he created for decoration on desks.  Large banks in Omaha were frequent customers, ordering all offices and every teller their name!  He was also well known for making memory boxes that families have passed down for generations.  Buses of ladies clubs, scouts, and 4-H’ers frequented the store, until Marian became ill and passed away at the young age of 56 on February 20th, 1990.  Daughter, Maridee helped her father and kept it open for a few years after her mother’s death. Roy retired in 1989 from farming and began to travel and experience things he had never known.  He taught himself to snow ski at age 65 and loved the black slopes.  He ventured as far as the boundary waters and lived off the land.  He frequented the Eagles Club to dance and meet new friends.  Roy was a lifetime gardener, providing his family with food and beautifying the countryside with his long lane of flowers.  Roy was a humble and giving man.  He loved the Lord God, and had a personal relationship with him.  Roy loved his family and was very proud of his son, Michael, and all his accomplishments, and talents. Daughter Maridee settled down in the area after college and Roy was able to build them a beautiful home, enjoy his family and his three grandchildren (Michael, Quinn, and Caitlin) along with attending their events and celebrations.   Roy was diagnosed with dementia in 2009.  He was cared for with love at Heritage of Emerson nursing home for the last 4 years and passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side on September 29th.  Roy is survived by his son, Michael Hofeldt of Fulerton, CA; daughter, Maridee (Clay) Malmberg of Thurston, NE; sister-in-law, JoAnn Hofeldt of Portland, OR; twin brother, Ray R. Hofeldt, Sr. of Omaha, NE; three grandchildren, Michael Malmberg, Quinn (Abby) Malmberg and Caitlin Malmberg; and two great grandchildren, Lylia and Daxton Malmberg; brothers-in-law, Vern (Gayle) Dahlman of Pender, NE, Kenny (Diane) Dahlman of Aplington, IA; one niece and many nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marian on February 20, 1990; parents; sister-in-law, Darleen Hofeldt; brother, Fred Hofeldt; and half-brothers, Shorty Hofeldt, Robert “Buck” (Viola) Hofeldt and Wayne (Mary) Hofeldt.