Virgil Hoffman, of Jordan, passed away on January 7, 2017 at the age of 96. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Ballad-Sunder Funeral & Cremation in Jordan. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11:00 AM with visitation one-hour prior at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Father Timothy Yanta will preside, and Virgil’s grandchildren will act as pallbearers. Military honors will be provided by the Jordan Honor Guard, and Virgil will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan. Memorials can be directed to St. John’s Building Fund.
On June 22, 1920, Leonard and Mary (Gerold) Hoffmann celebrated the birth of their son, Virgil William. He was the third of nine children growing up on the family farm in St. Benedict where he developed a strong work ethic. When Virgil was only 16, his father died leaving behind a struggling family during the Great Depression. Virgil worked hard to help support his family. He eventually moved in with his Uncle Egon and Aunt Agatha Gerold to work as a farm hand.
Virgil was always very meticulous and made sure every job he completed was done right. He often worked for local farms when someone was sick or injured. When he wasn’t working, Virgil loved playing baseball, and he was a talented player. As a teenager, he borrowed $100 from his uncle, and traveled to Mississippi to attend a baseball camp and learned from Babe Ruth and Dizzy Dean. This was an experience that Virgil always treasured.
In June of 1942, Virgil was drafted into the Army. He proudly served his country until being honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in December of 1945. During his service, Virgil worked as a radio operator and was stationed in England, France and Germany during WWII.
When he returned from war, Virgil got a job at Scott County Oil Company in Jordan. His first day on the job he was told to give his name, address and social security number to the girl in the office. That girl was Bernice Pauly. Two weeks later, Bernice and Virgil celebrated New Year’s Eve together, and they’ve been together ever since. They exchanged wedding vows on June 15, 1948 and were blessed with two wonderful sons, Gordie and Daryl. They settled in a home across from the Mill Pond and lived there together for 56 years.
Together Bernice and Virgil ran the gas station with Bernice’s siblings. Virgil had many different jobs at the station, but he was especially good at the mechanical work. He was a perfectionist, and his work certainly reflected that. Virgil worked at the gas station for 39 years before retiring in 1984.
In retirement, he and Bernice enjoyed spending as much time as they could up at Long Lake in Stearns County. They enjoyed fishing and spending time outdoors, but they always made it back to Jordan for the local ball games. Virgil was an avid supporter of local baseball. He was a member of the Jordan Baseball Association, and he volunteered in the concession stand and taking tickets. He was also responsible for the pitching mound during many big tournaments at Fairgrounds Park. Many of the ball players, even the veterans were often greeted with a cheerful, “Hey, Rookie!”
Virgil enjoyed playing Schafkopf (Sheepshead) with friends, watching sports, wine making, fishing, grilling and cheering on his grandkids’ sporting events (he never missed a game!). Virgil was an active member of the St. John’s, Catholic Aid, Knights of Columbus and VFW Post 2854. He also had a passion for woodworking on his lathe. He was known for making beautiful jiggle sticks, candlesticks, wine glasses, bowls and mini baseball bats.
Virgil had a very full life, and after 96 wonderful years, he was ready to go home to Heaven. Virgil was a very kind and patient man. He was quiet, humble and honest. He was quick with a gentle smile and always left with you with a cheerful, “Cheerio!” He cared for his family deeply and set a wonderful example for them in everything he did. Simply put, Virgil was truly a noble man.
Virgil will be deeply missed by his wife, Bernice; sons, Gordie (Pat), Daryl (Susan); grandchildren, Michelle (David) Speers, Matt (Amanda Barry) Hoffman, Adam (Jenna) Hoffman and Noah (Angela) Hoffman; great-grandchildren, Ryan, Jack & Connor Speers, Penelope Barry-Hoffman, Lincoln, Lucia & Londyn Hoffman and Nolan Hoffman; siblings, Rita Schoenecker, Lambert (Betty) Hoffman; sisters-in-law, Delores Hoffman, Marcella Hoffman, Loretta Hoffman and Mary Ann Hoffman; brother-in-law, Virgil Schoenecker; other loving relatives and many dear friends.
There to greet Virgil in Heaven were his parents, Leonard & Mary Hoffmann; siblings, Vivian (Leonard) Deutsch, Adelbert Hoffman, Arvid Hoffman, Beatus Hoffman, Marie Schoenecker and Germain Hoffman.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly serves the Hoffman family. www.BallardSunderFuneral.com
