Lee Kerwin Hofmeier was born on November 18, 1931 in Hutchinson, Kansas, the son of Hugo William and Verna Isabel (Achilles) Hofmeier. The oldest of three boys, his family lived on a farm in rural McPherson County. When he was out of school, he went to work as a cowboy for Ferguson Bros. Cattle Company in Marquette, Kansas.
Proudly serving his country, Lee entered the United States Army on September 28, 1951. An Infantryman in the Korean War, he was wounded and received the Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, and United Nations Service Medal. He was honorably discharged on July 1, 1953 with the rank of Sergeant First Class.
On January 16, 1954, Lee was united in marriage with Phyllis Carlson at the Andover Lutheran Church in rural Inman, Kansas. They were blessed with four children: Renee, Richard, Randall, and Shelly and the family made their home in Hutchinson. The family moved to Harper, Kansas in 1974. Phylliss passed away on January 4, 1983.
Lee and Lois (Stewart) Martin were married on December 14, 1985 at the historic Runnymede Church in Harper, Kansas. Lee invited Lois’ children: Scotty, Cinda, Sammy, and Christa to his family. Lee was proud to be a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to a family he loved very much. He was avid golfer, playing well into his 80s and would tell you, ‘the older I get, the better I used to be.’
Having a vast work history, Lee was involved in the automobile business most of his life. He was a partner in the Pontiac Toyota dealership in Hutchinson. Lee later owned Hofmeier Chevrolet Pontiac Olds as well as Hofmeier Motors, a full line Chrysler dealership in Harper for over 30 years. He later served as Dealer Principal of Newberry Family Motors. Lee owned and operated a Dairy Queen at 26th and Main in Hutchinson for 5 years. He was managing partner of a Dodge dealership in Neosho, Missouri, President and manager of Harper Oilfield Services, and President and General Manager of Napa Stores (Terry’s Auto) in Harper and Anthony, Kansas. Lee was Director of American National Bank and 1st National Bank of Harper, Chairman of Harper Hospital Board, and co-founder of Harper Booster Club.
A devoted Christian, Lee served as the Chairman of the Board of Elders and President of the Congregation at Zion Lutheran Church in Argonia, Kansas. He most recently belonged to the Calvary Lutheran Church in Wellington, Kansas.
Preceding Lee in death were his parents, Hugo and Verna Hofmeier; wife, Phyllis Marie (Carlson) Hofmeier; and brother, Vaughn Clifford Hofmeier. He is survived by his wife, Lois of Harper; children: Renee Kerr (Mark) of Ness City, Kansas, Richard Hofmeier (Cindy) of Oxford, Kansas, Randall Hofmeier (Sandra) of Hutchinson, and Shelly Hodges (Eddie) of Harper; step-children: Scotty Martin (Karen) of Overland Park, Kansas, Cinda Moore (Randy) of Anthony, Sammy Martin (Kerry) of Topeka, Kansas, and Christa Manning (Robert) of Topeka; brother, Raymond Ellis Hofmeier (Linda) of Hutchinson; twenty-one grandchildren and thirty-six great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
Friends may view and register Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home with family present from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Funeral Service is 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Wellington with Pastor Timothy Meyer officiating. Pastor William Wingfield will lead the singing. Burial follows at the Harper Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church or St. Jude Children's Hospital and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th St., Harper, Kansas 67058