Garrett "Gary" Hoefs

Garrett “Gary” Hoefs, age 90, formerly of Arapahoe, Nebraska passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska. He moved to Hastings in 2021, to be closer to family due to Arapahoe Nursing Home closing down. He was born in Beemer, Nebraska on April 19, 1935, to August A. and Edna (Renner) Hoefs. He was the 4th in line of 8 kids.

He was raised 8 miles south of Wisner, Nebraska. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church and later confirmed. He attended school at Wisner High School and graduated with the class of 1953. Shortly after graduation, he worked briefly for a farmer. He then decided to enlist in the Army in 1955 and served until 1958 when he was honorably discharged. Shortly after that, he met and later married Dorothea “Dorothy” Clara Wendland on July 6, 1958 at Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Arapahoe. They lived on a family farm south of Bertrand Nebraska. The marriage was blessed through Lutheran Family Adoption Services with 2 children. Monica Ann in October of 1967 and Alan Terry in September of 1969. In 1972, they moved to a farm 4 miles east and 4 miles north of Arapahoe. This is where they raised their family and is currently still the family home for their son Alan. The farm ground is owned by a distant relative of Dorothy’s and Alan owns a little over 5 acres.

Gary worked at the coop until he decided that he wanted to try farming. They raised cattle, chicken, pigs and raised a garden. Early on he had milk cows, which was a hard life, but he told his family that he wanted to do it to have the freedom of it. In 1990, he decided to go work as a rural mail carrier out of Bertrand, Nebraska until he retired in 2000.

Gary enjoyed going fishing, hunting, going to the horse races and casino gambling. Later at the nursing home, he enjoyed watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and the Price is Right (only the showcase showdown portion) as he liked to see who won the prize of the day. He loved watching his T.V. and especially any western shows. At his assisted living facility, he liked going to bingo, attending church, and having family visit. He loved his nursing staff and would always make sure they took some candy out of his candy jar, which he kept stocked for them. He enjoyed rooting for the Kansas City Royals and especially the Nebraska Cornhusker Football team.

Gary was proceeded in death by his wife Dorothy (Feb. 7, 2021), his parents, brothers Daniel “Danny” (Dec. 7, 1973), Virgil (Aug. 29, 1985), Thomas “Tommy’” (Mar. 27, 1989) and David (May 12, 2017), and sisters Marilyn “Mary” Schluter (Dec. 31, 2015). Sarah Nielsen (Feb. 9, 2023) and Alice Lemon (June 26, 2025).

He is survived by his daughter Monica and husband Doug Roesener, son Alan Hoefs, granddaughter Gabrielle “Gabby” Contreras and her fiancé Jasmine Bolder. Nieces and nephews and his nurses from the assisted living.