Gary L. Joffer

Gary Joffer, age 75, died unexpectedly at his home in rural Brooten, MN on Monday, May 10, 2021.  Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 18th at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Brooten. Due to major road construction on Hwy 55 (in front of the funeral home), those attending should plan on parking on adjacent side streets and walking to the funeral home. A graveside service and inurnment will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 22 in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaten, MN. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Brooten.

Gary Lee Joffer was born in Bellflower, CA on August 18, 1945 to Garrett and Mildred (Plooster) Joffer.  His family moved to the Sioux Falls, SD area when he was a child. In 1963, he graduated from Lyons (SD) High School. Shortly after his graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force where he received training and worked as an aircraft mechanic. His four years of military service included a one year-long deployment to Germany, which he very much enjoyed.

After his honorable discharge, Gary returned home to the family farm. This is where he always wanted to be. In 1968, the family purchased a farm and moved to the Brooten, MN area. Gary and his dad were partners in farming for several years. When his father retired, Gary took over the dairy farm and with the help of his nephew, Kyle, he continued working the farm where he lived until his death on Monday, May 10, 2021.

Gary married Carol Eickholt on December 6, 1986 and gained a teenaged stepson, Travis. Sadly, Travis passed away suddenly in June 1997 at age 24 from a congenital heart defect.

Over the years, Gary and Carol enjoyed many trips out west to Wyoming to visit Carol’s “Rosholt” cousins. He and Carol shared 34 years of marriage before her death from cancer on June 23, 2020.

Gary loved farming and the rural lifestyle. He was always happy when spring rolled around each year with the promise of a new and prosperous growing season. He loved taking care of his dairy cows and calves. He also enjoyed watching the antics of his nephews as they grew up on the farm and overseeing their latest (questionable) projects. He also enjoyed playing cards, vintage cars, visiting with other farmers, and fishing. 

Gary is survived by his farming partner and nephew, Kyle Joffer of Brooten; his four siblings, Ron (Jessica) of Willmar, Judy (Jerry) Krebs of Braham, Carol (Greg) Gilborn of Ham Lake, and Melody Rust of Becker. He is also survived by his nephews and nieces, Jeff Joffer, Nick (Heather) Joffer, Tony Joffer, Brian Rust, Brad Rust, Melissa Gartner, Jon Krebs, Jenni (Jon) Emerick and Josh (Zumara) Krebs; great nieces and nephews, Libby, Jonny and Sally Emerick, Eden, Jacob, Zophia  and Asa Krebs. He is also survived by his wife’s “Rosholt” cousins who were a source of comfort to him especially during the past year after Carol’s passing.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Garrett and Mildred Joffer; his wife, Carol Joffer in 2020; a stepson, Travis Eickholt; and a nephew, Chris Joffer.

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