Verna Mae (Goedken) Hoefer

Verna Mae Hoefer, 92, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, surrounded by her family, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester.  She was born on January 5, 1932, in Worthington, the daughter of Val and Clara (Krogmann) Goedken. She was raised and educated in the Worthington area.

On March 26, 1951, Verna was united in marriage to Gerald Hoefer in Worthington. Seven children were born to this union. Together they lived in Delhi until purchasing their farm near Masonville. The couple farmed together until their retirement and moved to Manchester in 1988. Gerald passed away in 2009.

Verna was a longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She enjoyed playing cards and Bingo. Verna loved cooking for her family and enjoyed gardening and canning. She enjoyed embroidery, especially making blankets for all her grandchildren. She liked watching sports and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She was an active volunteer in her community. Above all else, Verna loved her family and spending time with them.

Survivors include her children, Larry (Sherry) Hoefer of Strawberry Point, Shirley (Ken) Knipper of Earlville, Joyce (Collin) Whitney of Winthrop, Dave (Michelle) Hoefer of Masonville, Ron (Sue) Hoefer of Masonville, and Carol (Jeff) Harper of Manchester; daughter-in-law, Janet Hoefer of Quasqueton; 19 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; siblings, Betty (Arnold) Greif, Charles (Patricia) Goedken, Bonnie Goedken, and Donald Goedken; brothers-and sisters-in-law, Joseph Fangmann, Kay Goedken, Marlene Goedken, and Robert Schaul; and many nieces and nephews.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald; son, Dennis Hoefer in 2019; and siblings, Clara (Fred) Davidshofer, Edward Goedken, Walter Goedken, Marjorie Schaul, and Darlene Fangmann.

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