Lois Hoffert

Obituary for Lois Hoffert

Lois Nadine Hoffert, 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 28 at St. Anne Extended Healthcare in Winona.
Lois was born June 13, 1923 on a farm outside Quinter, Kansas to Jesse and Edna (Kinzie) Metsker. She was the youngest of four children. Music played a central role in her upbringing. Her mother was the song leader at their local church and both parents often sang together at home, even when they were in different rooms. There was always a piano in the house and her mother began giving Lois music lessons at an early age. When she was seven years old, Lois played the piano for the first time in church. The song she played was "Wonderful words of life." She retired from a career as a church musician 85 years later.
As a freshman at McPherson College in Kansas, Lois met Joseph Hoffert when both were working as dishwashers in the dining hall. They married in 1943, shortly before Joe shipped off to serve in the Pacific. After the war, they moved to Bird City, Kansas, where Lois became the organist at the Methodist Church. After their four children were born, Lois and Joe moved to Des Moines, Iowa in 1958. Almost immediately upon their arrival, Lois was offered the position as organist for the Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren. She was an integral part of worship for the next 48 years. During these years she was active in all areas of her local church, but also served the larger church at the district and denominational levels. She founded and directed a pre-school, gave dozens of children piano lessons, and provided a loving home for her family. All who entered her home or sat down to one of Lois' meals came away with a deep appreciation for her cooking skills and warm hospitality.
Joe and Lois moved to Winona in 2006 to be closer to family. Lois continued her music ministry as a substitute accompanist at the Lewiston Church of the Brethren. After her retirement in 2015, she still accompanied the men's chorus, mentoring them into clearer, closer harmonies. Lois and Joe deeply appreciated the friendships they formed with their neighbors at the Burns Valley Apartments. Joe passed away in 2012. In the last short season of her life, the two and a half months she spent at St. Anne, Lois discovered the skillful, loving hands of the Second Floor staff. The time there was a tender transition into the eternal hands of her Lord.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joe, two brothers, Millo and Sylbert, and a sister, Ferne.
She is survived by four children: Stan (Susan) Hoffert of Wausau, Wisconsin, Gordon (Uli) Hoffert of Winona, Patty (Michael) Facius of Minneapolis, and Tim (Nina) Hoffert of Golden, Colorado; her grandchildren, the pride and joy of her life, Wesley (Elissa), Paula (Brad), Rhonda (Ross), Jess and Joe; her special great-grandson, Beckett; her sister-in-law, Lois McDaniel; many nieces and nephews and their families who were great sources of joy; her church families in Des Moines and at the Lewiston Church of the Brethren; and her devoted friends at the Burns Valley Apartments.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Lewiston Church of the Brethren with Roger Peckover presiding. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Please share a memory of Lois and view here video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Celebration of Life Center- Goodview is assisting the family with arrangements.