Harold Hoffman, 85, of Mitchell, formerly of Alexandria, died Sunday February 1, 2009, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab. Funeral Services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at St. Mary of Mercy Catholic Church in Alexandria with Father Tom Clement, Celebrant; Father Andrew Swietochowski and Father Ron Garry, Con-celebrants. Burial at St Martins Catholic Cemetery in Emery with Military Rites. Visitation will be from 6 PM to 8 PM Tuesday at St. Mary of Mercy Catholic Church with a 7 PM prayer service. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Harold John Hoffman was born on March 17, 1923 in Bridgewater, SD to Edward and Caroline (Determan) Hoffman. He attended St. Stephens School in Bridgewater through the eighth grade. Then because of his love for the land and wanting to help his father he chose to stay home and farm. He served in the army in WWII from April 1945 to November 1946 in Germany, when he was honorably discharged.

On May 5th 1947 he married Dolores Ann Fahy at St. Stephens Church in Bridgewater. They farmed in the Bridgewater-Emery area until 1965 and then moved to Farmer and had a dairy farm until 1987. In 1988 they moved to Alexandria and he worked on the Don Wenande farm until 2004. In 2006 he moved to Avera Brady Assisted Living.

He was an active member of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the American Legion. He was a past member of the Moose Lodge and National Farmers Organization. He shared his love for music and dancing with some of his children and grandchildren. He and Dolores enjoyed many polka festivals at the Corn Palace and also Square Dancing. After retirement he then went to his office (Rookies) daily for his Pepsi and game of pinochle, uecker, or pitch.

Survivors include his wife Dolores, of Mitchell; seven daughters, Jane (Pat)Derrington of Amery, WI, Fay Klock of Omaha, NE, Karen (Jim) Mannie of Madison, SD, Teresa (Dave) Goedeken of Omaha, NE, Brenda (Neil) Meyer of Omaha, NE, Deanna Ihnen and fiance Cory Collins, Forestburg, SD, Gail (Jason) Gust of Scottsdale, AZ; three sons, Oran (Mary Jo) of Emery, Tom (Kathy) of Alexandria, and Brian of Hastings, MN; 26 grandchildren and 6 step-grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and 1 step-great-grandchild. 2 brothers, Norbert (Annabelle) of Parkston, SD, Jerry (Shirley) of Bridgewater; five sisters, Delores (Carl) Goldstine of Bridgewater, Evelyn Garry of Webster, SD, MaryAnn (Ray) Schoenfelder, of Mitchell, Alida (Marvin) Ahlers of Salem, SD, and Sharon (Larry) Tuschen, of Salem.

He is preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, brothers-in-law Steve Weber and Russell Garry, and daughter-in-law Diane Hoffman.