Bonnie Hofer

Bonnie Lee Nightingale Hofer was born to Lee and Marian Nightingale July 3rd, 1950. In her early years, she was raised on a farm near Burns, Kansas. She recalled fond memories of riding along with her father to take a load of grain to town. There was no running water and few comforts on the farm. Due to drought, the family left the farm and moved to Wichita, KS where Bonnie and her 4 brothers were raised. She was led to the Lord by her mother at a young age, and her faith continued to grow during her high school years spent at Berean Academy in Elbing, KS.

Bonnie met her husband of 52 years, Dennis Hofer, at Grace in Omaha, NE, and they married September 19, 1970. They began their marriage with a 2-year missions trip to Seeheim Bible School in Germany dedicating their time to provide maintenance and domestic care within the facility. Upon her return, Bonnie achieved certification as a lab assistant from Mitchell Vo-tech and worked at Freeman Hospital.

Not long after, Bonnie was able to stay home and begin to raise her three children on the farm. Bonnie found much joy in being a faithful and nurturing caregiver to her family. She enjoyed the simple things of life such as volunteering at her church, gardening, cooking, and family trips. She provided much care and support to Dennis as he farmed for many years. There was always fresh iced tea. Later on in life, she enjoyed observing the antics of her 10 granddaughters who were the source of much laughter and probably a few grey hairs. She attended many basketball and volleyball games as well as other activities of her grandchildren taking joy in watching them grow and develop their faith in the Lord. Many of her granddaughters have carried on the family tradition of serving the Lord through missions work.

Bonnie demonstrated her heart to serve others throughout her life. She graduated from DWU in 1994 as a registered nurse and began caring for the elderly. For 17 years, Bonnie worked in various nursing homes, and after her retirement, she worked part-time for Home Instead providing in-home care to her elderly clients. She cared greatly for all her clients, and in many situations, Bonnie’s faith led her to provide spiritual support for her clients. She read devotionals, prayed with them, and led a number of them to the Lord.

Bonnie was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2020. Despite extensive treatment and discouraging outcomes, Bonnie held fast to the Lord who gave her peace. Unfortunately her symptoms included much pain, yet her family never heard her complain. She looked forward to meeting her Lord and Savior and often journaled about the various promises of God given in Scripture. She was an example to us all in the way she trusted God throughout her suffering. With the assistance of Avera@Home hospice care, Bonnie passed away peacefully in her home the early morning of July 20 at the age of 73.

Her memory will live on in her husband, Dennis Hofer of Bridgewater; her children: Camden (Sherry) of Mitchell, Trenden (Mandi) of Papillion, and Amaris (Matthew) Aken of Omaha; her 10 granddaughters: Joni, Audrey, Lindy, Trudie, Elsie, Ella, Brooklynn, Campbell, Savannah, and Cecilia; as well as her brothers: Darrel (Kathy), Allan (Colette), and James (Sharon) all of Wichita, Kansas.

Bonnie is reunited with those dear ones who have gone before her: parents Lee and Marian Nightingale, brother Sam Nightingale, niece Roxanne Nightingale, her brother in-laws: Jerald Hofer, Wesley Hofer, and Melroy Hofer; as well as her mother and father in-law Barbara and Jacob K. Hofer.