Len Hofer of Piedmont and formerly of Meadow died February 27, 2023 at Monument Health in Rapid City.
Len Gottlieb Hofer was born January 30, 1942, to Emil and Anna (Adamek) Hofer in Lemmon. He was raised on the Twin Butte Ranch east of Meadow, which was settled by his grandfather in 1916. He and Darlys Lowe were wed on March 12,1966. Len and Darlys ranched with his parents on the Hofer family ranch until eventually taking it over.
He attended Black Horse Creek and Twin Butte Country Schools. He attended Lemmon High School and finished at Brookings at the School of Agriculture in 1961. He attended one week of school in Colorado with several neighbors to learn to do their own vet work.
Son Doug arrived in 1967 and daughter Kim in 1970. Len was active in the Black Horse Saddle Club that his parents and many neighbors originated.
Len and his younger brother Duane were very close. They both enjoyed rodeo. Len rode cows in his younger years, team tie-down roped, tie-down calf roped, team roped and in the most recent years, senior men's breakaway roped. Len made many friends throughout the surrounding states through his love of rodeo. His horse Bugs won Horse of the Year awards that he was very proud of. Darlys watched the cattle and did the field work so Len could rodeo. Len and Darlys were honored to be the 2022 Boss Cowman Honorees for the Lemmon Celebration. Len loved people, socializing, and having a good time. He had great mental, spiritual and physical strength.
Len kept a fire truck from the Glad Valley Fire Dept. at the ranch. He was a member and director of the Grand
January 30, 1942 – February 27, 2023
River Grazing Association. Len and Darlys were part owners of Lemmon Livestock in the 1980s.
They retired and sold the ranch in November 2011. They moved to a small acreage in Piedmont, where they made new friends and lifelong friends would visit frequently. He and Darlys transferred their membership from the Indian Creek Lutheran Church to the Piedmont Valley Lutheran Church. They were active members and Len was a director.
Len is survived by his wife of 57 years, Darlys Hofer; son, Doug Hofer; daughter Kim Hofer; his grand puppy Taz; his brother Duane (wife Frankie), and their daughter Krista Hofer as well as extended family members.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 3 at the Piedmont Valley Lutheran Church and Saturday, March 4 at Indian Creek Lutheran Church near Meadow. Interment was at the Galloway Cemetery in Meadow.
Friends and family may leave condolences for the family at WestRiverFuneral.com.