Lynell Hofer

A service to celebrate Lynell's life will be held on Wednesday, June 18 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Mennonite Church in Freeman. The family invites you to join them in wearing your favorite sports jersey or shirt. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, June 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bethany Mennonite Church. There will be a time of sharing at 7 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Freeman Summer Rec.

Lynell Dennis Hofer, age 78, of Freeman, S.D., passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, in Freeman. He was born on March 15, 1947, to Darius and Marie Hofer and often said he was born the day Julius Cesar died, just a few years apart. A lifelong resident of Freeman, he was a devoted member of the community and a loving husband and father.

Lynell was raised on his family farm west of Freeman. He spent his childhood years fishing, playing ball and attending Salem Mennonite Brethren Church, where he was baptized. He graduated from Freeman Academy in 1965 and continued his education at Freeman Junior College (FJC) and the University of South Dakota (USD), earning a degree in history.

While working at Haar’s Service Station during his college years, he fell in love with Freeman native Pauline Ries. They were married on Aug. 10, 1969. After they graduated from USD together, they moved to Lynell’s homeplace where he happily resided and farmed until his death. The family farm was the perfect place to raise their daughter, Britt, and son, Kerry.

Lynell was an avid sports fan who found great joy in cheering on, not only his children and beloved grandchildren, but also community members. From early on in their marriage, Lynell and Pauline were fixtures at the ballfield. This led to him coaching the Freeman Blues men’s fastpitch softball team, an experience which he spoke fondly of for many years. Despite marrying a Yankee fan, he stayed true to his Los Angeles Dodgers, who were able to give him one final World Series win over the New York Yankees in his final year — something that delighted him immensely.

As Britt and Kerry found their own love for sports at Freeman Public Schools and in the community, Lynell rarely missed a game. Whether it was basketball, baseball, softball, football, or any game they played, he was always their biggest supporter. Lynell was a regular at games, not just cheering for his own kids and later grandkids, but supporting their teammates and building friendships with other parents and grandparents along the way. The bleachers became a second community, where Lynell’s presence was constant and warm.

Lynell had a lifelong passion for farming. He was always proud of bringing irrigation to the area and enjoyed “witching” water for neighbors. He especially found joy in working alongside Kerry and the young farmworkers he hired throughout the years. He took time to get to know them and share bits of wisdom. Pauline’s willingness to cook countless meals over their 50-plus years together on the farm provided daily opportunities for Lynell and his crew to spend hours together around their kitchen table.

Among the young men he worked with was Adam Lee, who became like a second son. Lynell and Adam worked side by side for many years, building a bond that went far beyond the fields. Adam and his wife, Chelsy, lived near the farmyard and became a part of Lynell’s extended family and daily life.

His appreciation for nature extended beyond the farm. He planted thousands of trees and tended to his rose bushes and fruit orchard with care and pride, and was always willing to give advice to anyone on how to care for these plants.

Lynell also believed in serving the community that had shaped him. He was active in local life, serving on the Freeman School Board, Southeastern Electric Board, Freeman Coop Board, Wolf Creek Township Board, Southeastern Irrigators Association, and volunteering as a youth sponsor and moderator through his church, Bethany Mennonite. After retiring from these duties, he enjoyed filling his time with daily coffee visits in town, hosting crab fry parties, and tinkering with his impressive train sets at home or Heritage Hall Museum.

In addition to Lynell’s love for the farm and his community, he had an appreciation for travel. Early in their marriage, Lynell and Pauline enjoyed a memorable trip to Russia, Germany, England and the Netherlands. Later, they enjoyed travel with their children to professional baseball parks, several visits to Disney World, fishing trips to Canada, and many visits to Chandler, Arizona to visit Britt’s growing family.

Proceeding him in death are his parents, Darius and Marie Hofer, and his in-laws, Eddie and Elva Ries. He is survived by his wife, Pauline (Ries); his daughter, Britt, and son-in-law Orlando Franklin, and their children Kaleb and Kyler; and his son, Kerry, and daughter-in-law Lori (Tschetter), along with their children Cadence, Reeslyn, Jamison, and Kendric; as well as many dear friends and extended family members.