Darrell Hofer, age 70, of Huron, passed away unexpectedly at home, Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

His funeral service was held at 10:30 AM, Monday, September 18, at Bethesda Church, Huron. Burial was in the Ebenezer Cemetery, rural Doland. His service will be live-streamed.

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Visitation was held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Sunday at the Kuhler Funeral Home, with his family present from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A time of sharing was held at 7:00 PM Sunday evening.

Darrell D. Hofer was born July 25, 1953, to John J. and Josephine (Gross) Hofer at Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1954, after his father was discharged from the Army, the small Hofer family moved back to Beadle County to farm. It was on a farm southeast of Hitchcock, that Darrell began his love of farming. He attended country schools through the 8th grade and then continued his education at Hitchcock High School. While in high school, Darrell played basketball and football, and was a member of the State B Basketball Tournament Champions in 1970. He graduated from Hitchcock High School in 1972. He would reminisce the players, plays and scores from back in the day.

As a child, his family attended Hutterthal Mennonite Church. In 1971, while at a church revival meeting, Darrell accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized on the confession of his faith.

Immediately after graduation in 1972, Darrell joined the South Dakota National Guard and did his basic training at Fort Ord, California. He continued his service to the South Dakota National Guard with the 153rd Engineering Battalion for 6 years. Darrell loved sports and continued to be active with local slow-pitch and basketball teams.

On August 27, 1976, Darrell married Kathleen Mendel at the Bethesda Church, they celebrated 47 years of marriage this year. They were members of Ebenezer Mennonite Church for several years. Later, they joined the Bethel Mennonite Brethren Church, where Darrell served as an usher, youth leader and on the board of elders for a term.

Farming was the way of life for Darrell. He enjoyed the changing seasons, checking his cow/calf herds and his crops. Working cattle as a family will be cherished memories for his children. Farming was also where he tested his faith, determination and abilities.

Supporting and loving his children with great intentions, he was heavily involved in their lives. After working all day in the field, Darrell could be found in the yard with his children playing catch or running through team drills with them depending on the sporting season. He passed his love for sports on to his children, and enjoyed watching his children in their sporting events, and would reminisce their sport accomplishments.

Darrell was an assistant basketball coach for James Valley Christian School from 1979 to 1981. He also served on the Iowa Township board as Chairman, Supervisor and Treasurer.

Darrell enjoyed going to coffee with friends where they solved all the world's problems. He was a jokester and liked pranking his friends.

As the grandchildren started to come, Papa cared for and was interested in their lives. He now had a whole new group of kids to watch play their sports as he vocally supported them during their games, as well as share mints with, and tease endlessly.

He was preceded in death by his father, John J. Hofer; one sister, Janine; his parents-in-law, Joe and Viola Mendel; one brother-in-law, three sisters-in-law; and many other relatives.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Kathy of Huron; his children and their families, Tasha and Jason Schiebel and their family, Claire, Kate and Jase, all of Springfield, Nebraska, Nick and Samantha Hofer and their family, Ava and Eden, all of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Brett and Kelly Hofer and their family, Madi, Lylli, Brynlie, Sadie and Annie, all of Huron, and Ivan and Megan Hofer and their family, Ellie and Ivy, all of Des Moines, Iowa.

Left to cherish his memories are his mother, Josephine Hofer of Huron; his siblings, Darwin (Becky) Hofer of Elko, Minnesota, Brenda (Doug) Smith of Sioux Falls, Loren (Paula) Hofer of Hitchcock, Joletta (Craig) Heller of Wolsey, Carey Hofer of Rapid City and Gena (Dr. Gary) Timmerman of Sioux Falls; his brothers-and sisters-in-law, Don and Lavonne Mendel of Doland, Esther Weems of Sioux Falls, Joe and Janet Mendel, Jr. of Brookings and David and Judy Mendel of Doland; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; and numerous cousins and friends.

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