Fern Lydia Hofts

Fern Lydia Holtzen Hofts, the sixth of twelve children, was born to Alvin and Nellie (Dunker) Holtzen of rural Deshler, Nebraska, on July 30, 1927. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, May 11, 2015, in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 87 years, 9 months, and 11 days.

Fern was baptized August 7, 1927, and confirmed May 5, 1940, at Trinity Lutheran Church Friedensau. She attended Deshler High School graduating in 1944. Following the completion of her education, Fern worked as a bookkeeper at the Ford Garage in Hebron, Nebraska.

Fern met John Hofts of rural Byron at a baseball game in Hubbell. They were united in marriage at Friedensau Lutheran Church on August 14, 1949. Their first home was on a farm in Republic County, Kansas. In 1951, they moved to their rural Hardy, Nebraska, farm where they raised their six children: Stanley, Patty, Fred, Janet, Julie, and J.J. Fern supported their farming life by helping in every way that she could. Their life changed when John suffered a stroke in 1988 which resulted in John’s retirement and a move to Deshler. Both enjoyed town life.

Fern worked outside the home for approximately twenty years at Parkview Haven Nursing Home as a dietary aide while also being the caregiver for her husband John.

After the death of her husband of sixty years, Fern moved to Lincoln to be closer to her daughters.

Fern had a strong faith and was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church throughout her married life. She also belonged to Halfman Unit #352 American Legion Auxiliary.

Fern loved to socialize. It didn’t matter what was going on, she was always ready and willing to have a good time. Fern always greeted you with a smile and left you with a smile.

She was a loving, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was very proud of her family and their many accomplishments.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, her son Fred, two sisters (Grace Schardt and Ethel Hulse), and five brothers (Milton, Henry, Roy, Eldor, and Wilfred).

Fern is survived by five children and fourteen grandchildren: Stanley and Mary Jo Hofts of Deshler, Matthew of Lincoln; Patty and Mike Wilson of Lincoln, Emily of Omaha, Abby of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Charlie of Lincoln; Levi of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Elliott of Waterloo, Iowa, and Fred of West Des Moines, Iowa; Janet and Dan Lienemann of Sidney, Parker, Kate, Alec, and Hayden; Julie Hofts and Joe Scoville of Omaha, Cora and Mitchell; and J.J. and Cindy Hofts of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Ayden; sisters: Wilma Anderson of Shickley, Lorna and Don Harms of Deshler, Audrey and Joe Dittmer of Byron; and brother Willard and Joan Holtzen of Arizona; as well as many nieces and nephews.