David J. Hoefs

David J. Hoefs

July 22, 1937 – May 12, 2017

David J. Hoefs was born July 22, 1937, at the family farm in Beemer to August and Edna (Renner) Hoefs. David was baptized Aug. 12, 1937, and confirmed April 6, 1952, both at Zion Lutheran Church in Wisner. He attended elementary school at Zion Lutheran School and graduated from Wisner High School in 1956. David and Janelle Lois Means were united in marriage on Feb. 24, 1957, at Zion Lutheran Church. David worked at Farmer’s Elevator in Wisner for a short time but soon started to farm first with his father-in-law, Jim Means, and then on his own on a farm south of Wisner. He also had dairy livestock in the early years. David and Janelle were blessed with two children, Brad and Brenda.

David and Janelle purchased the land they’d been farming and developed feed lots for feeder cattle and feed for other cattle feeders in the area. David was active at St. Paul Lutheran Church, serving on boards and singing in the choir. He loved Husker football and watching his grandsons play football. He loved playing cards. He also loved music and their many pet dogs over the years and all of the “granddogs” as well.

After selling animal health products for a short time, David and Janelle purchased Seward Bowl and Sparetime Lounge in Seward in 1980. David owned this business until 2016. During those years he also obtained his CDL license and drove truck for various businesses in the area. David and Janelle celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. David was a member of The Rock Lutheran Church in Seward and the Nebraska Bowling Proprietors Association.

David passed away May 12, 2017, in Seward at the age of 79 years, 9 months and 20 days.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Virgil and Tom; brother and sister-in-law, Danny and Dolores Hoefs; sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Don Schlueter; and niece, Vivian Collins.

David is survived by his wife, Janelle of Seward; his son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Donna Hoefs of Elkhorn; his daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Tom Rief of Seward; siblings and their spouses, Gary and Dorothea Hoefs of Arapahoe, Alice and Bob Lemmom of Orlando and Sarah Nielson of West Point; sisters-in-law, Delores Hoefs of Pender and Kathy Schoch of Bancroft; grandchildren, Noah and Meghan Hoefs of Las Vegas, Nevada, Luke and Kayla Rief of Lincoln, Tait Rief of Seward and Noelle and Marques King of St. Joseph, Missouri; great-grandchildren, Jayden, Ava and Malachi King, Benjamin and Joshua Rief and Zion Hoefs; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

A funeral service was held May 16, 2017, at The Rock Lutheran Church in Seward, with the Rev. Mike Meyer officiating. A private family interment was in Seward Cemetery. Memorials may be made the Comfort Dog Ministry at The Rock or Fresh Hope for Mental Health. Condolences may be sent at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.