Francis Hoffbeck

March 12, 1923-

July 3, 2018

MARSHALL — A Celebration of Life Francis “Fritz” Hoffbeck, 95, of Marshall, will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Marshall. Burial with military honors will follow in the Marshall Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today at Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. A prayer service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.

He died Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at the Heritage Pointe Senior Living in Marshall.

Francis “Fritz” Jorgen Hoffbeck was born March 12, 1923, to George and Ella (Nielsen) Hoffbeck in Morgan, and was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran, rural Morgan. His faith in God guided him throughout his life and was an inspiration to his family. Fritz attended country school and one year of high school in Morgan, receiving his high school diploma after serving in the U.S. Navy from Sept. 22, 1942, until Oct. 5, 1945.

On May 9, 1946, he married the love of his life, Evelyn Spong, at a small rural church in Clifton Township east of Marshall. They farmed in the Morgan area before moving to Evie’s parents’ farm east of Marshall in the fall of 1954. He was the proud father of Jerry, Jeanne, Lynne and Cheri. Fritz had a herd of registered Holstein dairy cattle, selling Grade A milk to Schwan’s Dairy, and was a member of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association receiving many awards for herd production.

Fritz was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Milroy for over 50 years, serving on the building committee, church council, teaching Sunday School, was a Luther League advisor and choir member. Fritz was a member of the Milroy American Legion, served as a volunteer with Prairie Home Hospice, and sang with the Marshall Area Men’s Chorus for many years. Other interests included golf, bowling and horseshoe league play as well as square dancing, woodworking, playing cards, and having coffee with friends.

Fritz will always be remembered for his dimpled smile, sense of humor, and sparkle in his blue eyes. He was taught as a child to respect his elders by shaking hands with them, and still liked a friendly handshake. Fritz and Evie bought their lake home by Alexandria in 1992 spending many happy times there with family and friendly neighbors. He liked sitting on the dock and fishing. They moved from the farm to their condo in Marshall in 2007 and became members of St. Stephen Lutheran Church. They then moved to Heritage Pointe Senior Living in 2016. Fritz and Evie just celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in May. He treasured time spent with his family and friends. Blessed be his memory.

He is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn Hoffbeck of Marshall; daughters, Jeanne Forsberg of Omaha, Neb., Lynne (Dave) Zick of Milroy, Cheri (Chris) Christensen of Buffalo; daughter-in-law, Sandy Hoffbeck of Marshall; grandchildren, Jodi (Alan) Fadness of Truman, Todd (Teri) Hoffbeck of North Branch, James Robert Havens of California, Troy (Amanda) Gilb of DeKalb, Ill., Kelly (Steve) Kontz of Bennington, Neb., Ryan (Jen) Zick of Chaska, Scott (Becky) Zick of Milroy, Erik (Kathi) Christensen of Seattle, Wash., Lisa Christensen (Greg) of Delano; 25 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; siblings, Earl Hoffbeck, Viola Dahmes, Alvin (Ardith) Hoffbeck, Floyd Hoffbeck; sister-in-law, Alvina Hoffbeck; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by son, Jerry Hoffbeck; parents, George and Ella Hoffbeck; brothers, Raymond, Vernon, and Norman Hoffbeck; brother-in-law, LaVerne Dahmes; sisters-in-law, Darlene, Lois, Shirley, and Joyce Hoffbeck.

Arrangements by

Hamilton Funeral Home

Marshall, Minnesota

507-532-2933