Jacob Hoff

Jacob Hoff 89, longtime Ephrata resident, passed away on March

31, 2011 at home with his family by his side. He was born on August

3, 1921 in Sweetbriar, North Dakota to Frances and Nickodemus Hoff.

He was the fourth child of a family of eleven.

Jacob Hoff 89, longtime Ephrata resident, passed away on March 31, 2011 at home with his family by his side. He was born on August 3, 1921 in Sweetbriar, North Dakota to Frances and Nickodemus Hoff. He was the fourth child of a family of eleven. The family moved from North Dakota to White Butte, South Dakota, when he was a young child. When his father passed away in 1939 the family moved to Lemmon, South Dakota and he worked on a farm to help support the family.

As a young man he worked for a road construction company. During that time he met the love of his life, Josephine Walker, and they married in September 1942. He was drafted into the army in 1944, was honorably discharged in 1946. After WWII he returned to road construction forming his own construction company. In 1954 he went into the service station business until 1969. He then moved his family to Ephrata. Jake worked for House Laundry and Crystal Linen until his heart attack in 1983. He began his final career as an employee of Wal-Mart. He always hoped to get healthy enough to go back to work because he truly enjoyed the people and the work.

In 1949 their daughter, Mary Jo, was born and in 1955 their son Michael was born. He was a father to three granddaughters beginning in 1977, Michele, Jody and Beth Yount. He shared a special bond with his youngest grandchild, Tyson, which remained strong through the years. They were bowling partners and friends.

Jake was active in the St. Rose of Lima Parish and a supporter of Catholic education and the Knights of Columbus. His hobby right up to the end was always bowling. Jake also enjoyed traveling, spending time at Ocean Shores in their trailer and spending winters in Arizona until health kept him home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step father, four sisters, three brothers and a grandson. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jo, daughter Mary Jo and son Mike, 6 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Also remaining are his siblings Chris, Joe and Katie, sister-in-laws Anna Marie Hullinger and Lillian Peters. His beloved cat Baby will miss him as much as the rest of the family.

A rosary will be recited for the repose of his soul at St. Rose of Lima Church on April 13, 2011 at 7 PM. The Funeral Mass will be April 14, 2011 at 10 am St. Rose of Lima Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. Rose of Lima School or American Cancer Society.