Raymond J. Hoffman

Raymond J. Hoffman, age 74, resident of Tolna, ND, died Sunday, September 3, 2017 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Raymond John Hoffman was born December 24, 1942 in Breckenridge, MN, the son of Raymond F. and Clara (Muellenbach) Hoffman. He was raised on his parent’s farm near Campbell, MN, where he graduated from high school in 1960. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army, served in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged in 1963. Raymond married Dianne Schmit on June 6, 1964 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fairmount, ND. He attended NDSCS in Wahpeton from 1966-68, where he earned a degree in air conditioning & refrigeration. He worked at the Fairmount Farmers Union in the fertilizer plant until 1973, when he accepted the manager position at Farmers Union in Tolna. He retired in 2006 after a long, rewarding career. Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, grilling at community suppers and other special events, and attending the activities of his children and grandchildren. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Ray was active in the Tolna Fire Department and the Community Club, as well as the American Legion, where he also served as Treasurer for many years. He was well respected and had many friends in the community and surrounding area. Ray fixed countless furnaces and resurrected many appliances over the years. He was a simple, humble man who was respected for his work ethic.

Ray will be deeply missed by Dianne, his wife of 53 years; 6 children, Lisa (Kevon) Gillett of Tolna, Lori (Ross) Henningsgard of Buxton, John (Alison) Hoffman of Andover, MN, Jason Hoffman of Tolna, Lyndi (Aaron) Ehlers of McHenry, and Jess (Vil) Hoffman of Fargo; 19 grandchildren, Jenna, Dylan and Ethan Gillett, Jessica, Taylor, Kennedy, Kyle and Carson Henningsgard, Joren, Lauralyn and Nolan Hoffman, Dalton, Riley, Danica, Breck and Brienna Ehlers, Madison Pfaff, William and Gavin Hoffman; 1 great-grandchild Oaklyn Haagenson; 4 sisters, Stacy Kaiser, JoAnne (Roger) Hogfoss, Monica Hoffman, and Carol (James) Hansen; 1 brother, William (Cynthia) Hoffman; and many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Peters; brother-in-law, Dwain Kaiser; Dianne’s parents, Clarence & Phyllis Schmit; and a grandson, Brennan Ehlers.

The Funeral Mass for Raymond will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Tolna on Friday, September 8, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Tolna Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Church on Thursday, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.