Marilyn Mae Hofer
November 5, 1940 ~ December 18, 2020
Marilyn Mae Hofer, 80, Sioux Falls went home to be with her Savior on December 18, 2020, at Sanford USD Medical Center from an exacerbation of chronic lung disease due to a COVID-related illness. With family at her side, she went peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus.
A Celebration of Life for Marilyn will be 11am, Saturday, January 2, 2021, at Central Church in Sioux Falls. Burial will follow at Hutterthal Mennonite Church Cemetery, rural Freeman. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, Memorials be directed to Central Church in Marilyn’s honor. The link to watch the service is here. Click to watch live
Marilyn Mae Glanzer, was born to Mike J. and Mary (Gross) Glanzer on November 5, 1940, in a country home near Alexandria, South Dakota. She grew up on a farm near Bridgewater, SD, enjoying the various duties of farm life, including milking cows by hand, gathering and packing eggs from a large flock, and helping with all household chores. This included canning, cleaning both chicken and ducks, in addition to helping with field work.
At a young age, Marilyn accepted Jesus as her personal Savior during an alter call at a revival meeting. She was baptized by immersion on August 16, 1953, in the James River by Rev. J. J. Kleinsasser and joined the Salem KMB Church.
Marilyn attended a one room country school (Plainview District 92) and graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1958. Music was always important to her, starting at a young age, singing duets in church with her brother, Herb. She found great joy from singing in church choirs starting when she was in 8th grade. She also sang in a quartet with her family and a youth group trio. She enjoyed playing tenor saxophone in the band and singing in the choir in both high school and junior college. Marilyn graduated from Freeman Junior College and taught in a country school for one year.
Marilyn married her high school sweetheart, Derrold Dennis Hofer, on July 16, 1961. They moved to Speedway, Indiana, where Derrold was in the Service and in school. She worked at the Indiana University Medical Center, in the Medical Records Department. This was instrumental in starting her career as a Medical Transcriptionist which spanned over 30 years in various doctors’ offices after moving back to Sioux Falls. Marilyn took off from work for 10 years after her first daughter, Sandra Jo, was born in 1971, and her second daughter, Stacy Marie, in 1973. She was blessed to be a homemaker and full time Mom during that time giving her the chance to participate in her daughters’ activities, such as being a classroom “room mother”. She was a friend to many, and her daughter’s friends referred to her as “Mom Hofer”.
In her adult years, she always enjoyed being involved in church activities; teaching in the children’s department, singing in sanctuary choir, and being involved in wonderful choir productions. In 1988, her church choir sang in Carnegie Hall with a group of 350 singers from the Midwest. She was also part of the Bell Choir at Central Baptist Church and when her church no longer ministered through choir, she enjoyed singing with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Choir, for many years.
Marilyn also enjoyed Genealogy and edited and published two family record books. In 2006, she enjoyed a Caribbean Cruise with daughter, Sandi. It was so special, enjoying the time, just Mother and Daughter. Marilyn was also a great cook. The Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays were always wonderful times to enjoy her exceptional cooking with family. Marilyn enjoyed puzzles, especially the daily Sudoku from the paper, often sharing it with her daughter Sandra when she got stuck. Marilyn and Derrold enjoyed attending many plays, musical concerts, going to Branson, MO, and traveling to Indiana and Alabama, to see family and friends.
When Marilyn’s first grandchild, Riley Jo, was born in 2005 to Stacy and Phil, she chose to retire to be a full-time caregiver for Riley, and later, when Halle Marie, was born in 2009. When Derrold retired, he joined Marilyn in being fulltime caregivers. She was blessed to be able to spend this very special time with her granddaughters. Together, they daily took Riley and Halle to and from school and many activities such as Kindermusic, story times, the Outdoor Campus, and so many other activities of interest. Baking with “MeMe” was an extra special time for the girls. They had many favorites like spritz, banana bread, and some special German dishes. She spent many hours playing games with the girls after school and in the summer. With Marilyn’s musical abilities, she was the designated person to help the girls practice piano. She was well known as an incredibly caring, involved grandma “MeMe”. Until her current illness, she never missed any of her granddaughter’s activities.
2020 was an extremely difficult year health-wise for Marilyn. She was blessed to have Stacy by her side and really valued her medical expertise. Stacy was able to facilitate much of her care in her last days. Derrold and her daughters were very thankful for the wonderful care she received at Sanford and the opportunity to take turns at her bedside during her final days.
Marilyn will be deeply missed by her husband of 59 and ½ years, Derrold Hofer, Sioux Falls; daughters, Sandra (Harold) Baty, Shoreview, MN, and Stacy (Phil) Nelson, Sioux Falls; granddaughters who meant the world to her, Riley and Halle Nelson, Sioux Falls; sister-in-law, Edwina Glanzer, Rolesville, NC, and sister-in-law, Brigitta Hofer, Bridgewater, SD; nephew, Mike (Sandy) Glanzer, Elgin, IL; nieces, Kristi (Ray) Jezek, Rolesville, NC, Kelly (Brian) Hefti, Sioux Falls, Stephanie (Michael) Burgeson, Yankton, SD, and Robin (Mike) Jaspers, Sioux Falls; several cousins, great nieces and nephews and a new great-great nephew.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Mike & Mary Glanzer; brother, Herb Glanzer; parents-in-law, Joe E. and Erna Hofer; stepmother-in-law, Agnes Stern-Hofer; and brother-in-law, Larry Hofer.
In these days of uncertainty, take the extra time to show those closest to your hearts that you love them, for you never know when a goodbye hug will be the last time.
We extend our sincere sympathy. Marilyn was a dear friend from OB/GYN days. Thinking of all of you and continue to pray for peace and understanding. May God Bless You…
Dear Derrold, Sandi and Stacy – What a lovely tribute you have written for Marilyn! I remember so well her love of music, her enjoyment of her children (and their friends too), her willingness to serve in many ways at Central Baptist Church. She was a good encourager to Jim when he was pastor and we appreciated that too. May God bless you in these days of saying goodbye to a much loved wife, mom and grandma. May He give your hearts comfort and peace.
Sorry to hear of Marilyn’s passing. Sending thoughts and prayers.
Our deepest, heartfelt sympathy to you in the passing of your mom and grandma. When I joined SDSO Chorus several years ago I sat next to Marilyn. She was so welcoming with her beautiful smile. We had many wonderful conversations about family, faith and our love for music. I was blessed to have known her. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Dear Derrold, Sandi and Stacy and your families –
You have all been in my thoughts and prayers in these days since Marilyn’s passing into her Eternal home. I pray that you have a peace that goes beyond our understanding, having to say goodbye to someone you love so much. Sandi, thank you so much for keeping us informed on how your mom was doing, and then for the beautiful tribute to her life. Your mom and dad have been such a faithful part of our Sunday School Community, sending out the requests for prayers every week – Thank you, Derrold, for your part in that. Marilyn will be missed a great deal by so many, but when you shared that she was ready to go home to her Savior, and that Stacy and Derrold could be with her in those last hours, I just thanked God for all of that. God’s peace to you now in the days and weeks ahead. My prayers will continue for you all.
Derrold and family. I am saddened by your loss of Marilyn, but joyful for heaven’s gain. I pray that all the great and positive memories are what come to mind and carry you through this difficult time. God’s blessings to you all.