Gene D. Hoff

Gene D. Hoff, age 85 of Alexandria, died Saturday, August 14, 2021 at home. A memorial service celebrating Gene's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday August 27th at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. Inurnment will be in the Lake Johanna Township Cemetery in rural Brooten. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. 

Gene DeWayne Hoff, the youngest of eight children born to Hans and Gertie (Anderson) Hoff, was born June 26, 1936 at home on the family farm in Lake Johanna Township, Pope County, MN. He grew up on the farm and attended Sunburg Free Lutheran Church and District #56 Country School through the 8th grade. As a child, Gene and his siblings all learned to speak both English and Norwegian. If Gene was outside in the yard at the farm he'd wave at all the cars that went by and probably knew the occupants. He also couldn’t wait for the corn to grow every year so he could help cultivate it.

Gene resided with his family on the farm until he was 68 years old. Following the death of his sister, Hazel, in 2004, he became a resident at New Beginnings group home in Glenwood. For the past several years Gene resided at a New Beginnings home in Alexandria. He worked at DTH (Day Training and Habilitation) in Starbuck for 16 years, retiring only when COVID-19 closures were implemented. No matter which location he was at, Gene enjoyed the company of the staff and other residents and they became like family to him.

Gene liked playing Bocce ball and watching old western movies. He was always interested in reading newspapers, especially the Bonanza Valley Voice, because it contained his “hometown” news. He loved animals and sharing stories of his childhood. He will be remembered for his unique ability to remember everyone’s birthday, his natural spontaneous and infectious laughter, and his love of sweets, especially chocolate chip cookies. Gene was quiet and reserved until he got to know a person, then he was spunky and sassy. He would give those he cared about nicknames.

Gene is survived by his brother, Dale (Marilyn) Hoff of Bloomington; nieces, nephews, other relatives and his friends and caregivers at New Beginnings.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Hans and Gertie Hoff; six siblings and their spouses: Eleanor (Ralph) Will, Chester (Eleanor) Hoff, Milo Hoff, Olney (Violet) Hoff, Doris Hoff and Hazel (Keith) Vollum.

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