John Joffer

Rock Valley, IA: John Henry Joffer, 89, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota formerly of Inwood, Iowa died Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the First Reformed Church in Rock Valley with Rev. Garry Nyenhuis officiating. Burial will be prior to the service at 12:45 p.m. Saturday, at Richland Cemetery near Inwood. Visitation with the family will be 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, November 7, 2014 at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

John was born December 27, 1924 in Okaton, South Dakota, the son of George and Marie (Hoekman) Joffer. The family later moved to Chandler, Minnesota where John graduated from Chandler High School. John met the love of his life, Ruth Breed, at the Fairview Church of Fairview, South Dakota. After going together for two years, the couple married at Fairview, South Dakota on May 26, 1950 at the pastor’s house of the First Reformed Church. John and Ruth briefly lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota before moving to Lennox, South Dakota for four years. The couple then settled at a farm near Inwood, Iowa where they built a house and lived for over 60 years. John had such a passion for farming. He built one the first cattle confinements in the area and successfully participated in state yield contests. John and Ruth were members of First Reformed Church in Fairview until the church was relocated, at which time John helped start Bethany Reformed Church in Canton. The couple later transferred their membership to First Reformed Church in Rock Valley. John served as an Elder in both the Canton and Rock Valley Churches. He also taught catechism in Rock Valley.

John is survived by his wife Ruth of Sioux Falls; three children, Jim (Lois) Joffer of Sioux Center, Iowa; Sandra (David) Jennett of Creston, Iowa and Keith (Julie) Joffer of Canton, South Dakota; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Peter (Lillian) Joffer of Utah and Charles (Coral) Joffer of Parker, South Dakota; four sisters, Helena (Harold) Lawrence of Sioux City, Iowa; Elsie Schmidt of Marion, South Dakota; Janice (Richard) Thompson of Parker, South Dakota and Sarena (George) Breza of Maryland; and two sisters-in-law, Millie Joffer of Brooten, Minnesota and Sis Joffer of Parker, South Dakota.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant children, Ruth Jane, Mark Henry, and infant daughter; three brothers, Harvey, Garrett and Arthur Joffer; three sisters and their husbands, Marie (John) Busman, Effie (Richard) Warne, and Marge (Alvin) Dykstra; and one brother-in-law, Aaron Schmidt.

Memorial Service

2:00 p.m. ,Saturday, November 8, 2014
Rock Valley First Reformed Church
1501 16th Street Rock Valley, Iowa 51247

Visitation

5:00 - 7:00 p.m. ,Friday, November 7, 2014
Porter Funeral Home ~ Rock Valley
1704 15th Street Rock Valley, Iowa 51247