Roger A Hofstra

IN MEMORY OF
ROGER A. HOFSTRA

BORN
July 26, 1942
Lyon County Iowa

PASSED AWAY
November 5, 2011
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

MEMORIAL SERVICE
11:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 9, 2011
First Reformed Church; Sheldon, Iowa
CLERGY
Rev. David Brower and Rev. Jody Habinck

Visitation will be after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2011 with the family present from 6:30 – 8:00pm at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon. The Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.

MUSIC
“My Tribute” Soloist: Brian Tutje
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“I Come To The Garden Alone”
“Just As I Am”
“Victory In Jesus”
Organist: Ingetta Tutje

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Russell Duncanson Mark Matthes
Larry Christians Bob McCrary
Doug Heiliger Don Saville
Bernie Wissink
CASKET BEARERS
Mike Dirks Robert Reemts
Steve Dirks Lloyd Reemts
Brad Dirks Larry Reemts

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery ~ Sheldon, Iowa

Military Graveside Services by the:
Sheldon V.F.W. Bunker-Peterson Post #7354 and the
American Legion Mc Glothlen-Cowie Post #145 of Sheldon, IA

After today’s service relatives and friends are invited
to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church

Arrangements under the care of the:
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home of Sheldon.
ROGER A. HOFSTRA

Roger Allan Hofstra, the son of Richard and Anna L. (Dirks) Hofstra was born July 26, 1942 on a farm near Doon, Iowa in Lyon County. He received his education in Rock Rapids and graduated from Central Lyon High School in 1960. Roger joined the Army National Guard, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry on February 28, 1961and was discharged on July 2, 1972 at the rank of Sergeant First Class. On January 19, 1962 he was united in marriage to Cynthia M. Mantel in the United Methodist Church in Doon, Iowa. The couple made their home in Rock Rapids until moving to Sheldon in 1966. Roger worked as a Power Lineman and Service Combination for Mid American Energy for 33 years before he retired in 1999. He served for 30 years on the Sheldon Fire Department as a volunteer and retired as Chief. Roger passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, reaching the age of 69 years, 3 months and 10 days.
He was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, the Sheldon Volunteer Fire Department, the Sheldon American Legion Post #145, Love Inc., and was active with the Avenue of Flags. He enjoyed collecting cap guns and fire department memorabilia and enjoyed fishing in Canada every summer for 21 years. He and Cindy enjoyed taking many a bus tour and their favorite was the one to Alaska. But his greatest love was his wife, Cindy and spending time with his children, grandchildren and his great-grandsons.
Roger leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Cynthia of 49 years; their three sons, Randall Hofstra of New Brighton, MN; Robert and (Cynthia) Hofstra of Spirit Lake, IA and Ryan and (Samantha) Hofstra of Manhattan, KS; seven grandchildren, Brandon and (Miranda), Jessica and (Bobby), Brandon J., Rachel, Josh, Ella and Reed; two great-grandsons, Teagan and Daniel; two sisters and their husbands, Janice and Barry Iwen and Deb and Steve Anderson all of Rock Rapids, IA; five brothers-in-law, John and his wife, Marge Mantel, Marvin Mantel, Glen and his wife, Henrietta Mantel all of Doon, IA and Robert and his wife, Marcia Mantel of Hull, IA; Paul Bergin of Le Mars, IA; three sisters-in-law, Joanne and her husband, Glen Greeley of Minneapolis, MN; Marge and her husband, Jim Hoogendoorn of Doon, IA; and Sandy and her husband, Alan Thielvoldt of Rock Valley, IA; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a son, Russell; and his parents; his in-laws, John & Gladys Mantel; and a sister-in-law, Fran Bergin.