John Hoffert

John P. Hoffert, age 85, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the Avera Mary House, Pierre.

In accordance with John’s wishes, no services will be held. A burial will be held at a later date at the German Zion Cemetery, Tolstoy.

John was born on September 2, 1940, to John and Maxine (Ryman) Hoffert in Faulkton, SD. He attended school at Onaka, SD, and graduated from Cresbard High School. Following high school, John farmed with his father at Onaka. He married Jane Geist on September 2, 1961, and to this union one son, Jeffry, and one daughter, Vicki, were born. The family continued on the farm during the 1960’s, and they lived in the Tempe and Chandler, Arizona area during the 1970’s, returning to South Dakota in 1979. They lived in Gettysburg for several years before moving back to Onaka.

John held various jobs over the years, including trencher operator for a construction company in Arizona, painting farm gates, building bunks at a lumber yard, farm laborer at Gettysburg and Onaka, and retired in 2009 from North Central Farmers Elevator. Following retirement, John and Jane moved to Pierre where he began working part time for Cone-Ag delivering fertilizer.

In his younger days he was in league bowling, then started team roping, he was usually the heeler. He decided to try his hand at building furniture and built several different pieces including a bedroom set. Farming, cattle, and rodeo held his interest long after he was no longer actively farming. He kept up with who was selling cattle and what they were selling for. He enjoyed keeping up with who was who in the rodeo world. You could find him watching rodeos on the Cowboy Channel then calling his good friend Jerome and discussing them.

After retirement in 2009, John and Jane began spending time in their camper at Hart Ranch in the summer, then becoming “snow birds” in the winter, spending several months each year in Apache Junction, AZ. In 2023 they moved to Lincoln Apartments in Pierre where new friendships were developed and where John remained until his health declined. For years, John was a regular at the truck stop in Pierre to join the very early morning coffee group giving him the opportunity to meet some great friends.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. In the last year and 1/2 bringing treats for his doggie buddies. Frank and Teddy at Fine Line Auto brought him joy. He came often and developed friendships that meant a lot to him.

He is survived by his wife, Jane, his son Jeffry (Melody) Hoffert, his daughter Vicki (Bill) Fischer, grandchildren: Bridget (Jason) Nagel, Wade (Bailey) Fischer, and Rick Nielsen; great-grandchildren: Makenna Nagel, Ethan Nagel, Weston Fischer, & Whitley Fischer; sister: Joan (Art) Gutenkauf, sister-in-Law Deb (Leon) Etzkorn; nephew, Roger (Lori) Gutenkauf; niece, Lisa (Jon) Radke; great-nephews and nieces; and many treasured friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John & Maxine (Ryman) Hoffert; parents-in-law, Art and Esther (Dutt) Geist; sisters-in-law Carol Lesselyoung and Marjorie Perry; Grandson, Robert Duane Hoffert in January 2025.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with John’s arrangements.