James "Jim" Dean Hoefling

James “Jim” Dean Hoefling

Jim Hoefling, 87 years old, of Marcus, Iowa died unexpectedly of an aortic aneurysm on Monday, January 24, 2022.

James Dean Hoefling was born June 19, 1934 in Merrill, Iowa, the son of George and Agnes (Frangenberg) Hoefling.  In 1952, Jim graduated from Larrabee High School.  In 1954, during the Korean War, Jim enlisted in the US Army, beginning his life-long passion of service to his country.  After graduation from basic training, Jim was stationed at Fort Gulick Canal Zone in Panama.  Jim talked fondly of his time in Panama as a cook.  In spring of 1956, Jim was honorably discharged from the army and he moved back to northwest Iowa.

On August 15, 1956, Jim & Donna Buddenhagen were united in marriage at Elk Point, South Dakota. The couple made their first home in southern California where Jim worked at a bakery.  In 1957, Jim and Donna moved to a farm north of Marcus and began their farming operation and he developed a deep devotion for his family and the town of Marcus.  Jim continued to expand his family and farming operations along with his hobbies and interests.  Jim was giving back early in his life being active with the Marcus Jaycees and Holy Name Catholic Church.  Jim and Donna did find time to relax and became active members in the Marcus Golf Club.  In 1976, they purchased the current family farm south of Marcus, realizing his dream of owning his own farm.  Jim immediately expanded his row crop operations along with his farrow to finish hog operations with one of the first hog confinements in Cherokee County.  Jim was an active board member of the Marcus Community Fair.  In 1996, Jim retired from farming to allow for more time to devote to his family and to root for his favorite sports teams, the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes.  Those that knew Jim, knew he really didn’t retire from farming, but instead worked for his two sons and their farming operations…moving from management to labor.  

On December 27, 2008 Jim married Leone (Alesch) Sand at Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus.  Jim moved from the family farm to his current residence in Marcus.  Jim and Leone enjoyed wintering with family and friends in their RV, traveling to see their children, playing golf, and shaping the next generation through their time spent with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

During Jim’s retirement, he remained active for the Marcus Community Fair Board continuing as its treasurer, and finally after 30+ years he retired.  In August 2021, in a fitting tribute to his many years of service to the community of Marcus, he was crowned King of the Sesquicentennial celebration. 

Survivors include his wife Leone of Marcus; daughters Laurie Hoefling of Bettendorf and Lynn (Loren) Mohning of Marcus; sons Alan (Geralyn) of Marcus; Gary (Julie) of Spencer; Bob (Lori) of Marcus; and Ken (Holly) of Franklin, TN; and four bonus daughters Diane (Charley) Gipe of Clarkston, MI; Brenda Sand (fiancé Randy Hurst) of Tulsa, OK; Susan (Dan) Zenk of Greeley, CO and Rebecca (Scott) Strader of Windsor, CO.

25 grandchildren: Ben (Patty) Mohning, Sioux City; Joe (Kristine) Mohning, Remsen; Patrick (Mallory) Mohning, Milford; Katie (Andy) Holtz, Jackson, MN; Beth (Brent) Rykhoek, Promise City; Allision (Fletcher) Christy, Altoona; Alexandrea (Chad) Wallway, Pleasant Hill; Amanda Hoefling, Hamburg, Germany; Andrew (Samantha) Hoefling, Alton; Angeleah Hoefling (fiancé Brad Roling), Remsen; SFC Kory (Carla) Hoefling Strongsville, OH; Kari (Kesner) Heath, Round Rock, TX; Kevan (Whitney) Hoefling, Garner; Nic Hoefling, Ames; Kristina (Blake) Knisley, Underwood, MN; Amber (Kyle) Stoutenburough, Greenville; John Hoefling, Marcus; Heather (Jason) Pecka Valley City, ND; Samantha Hoefling, Franklin, TN; Lt. Michael Hoefling, Vilseck, Germany; Matt Hoefling, Des Moines; Mitchell (Christan) Hoefling, Albuquerque, NM; Marshall Hoefling, Savage MN; Grace Hoefling, Ames and Chloe Hoefling, Franklin, TN.

23 great-grandchildren with 4 to arrive in early spring, 14 bonus grandchildren and his sisters Polly Bright of Burbank, CA, and Sherry (Gene) Brady of Waukee and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife Donna (2006), Jim was preceded in death by his son John, his parents, and siblings Lorraine, Bob, and Lynda.

Visitation will be held at Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus on Friday, January 28 beginning with a rosary at 4 pm with visitation to follow and concluding with a vigil service at 7 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 29 at 10:30 am at Holy Name Catholic Church followed by interment with full military honors at Holy Name Catholic Cemetery in Marcus.  Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home of Marcus is in charge of arrangements.

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