John N. Hoefer

John N. Hoefer, 88 of La Crosse, died on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at his home. He was born in Rockford, IL, on January 29, 1932 to John and Beatrice (Griffin) Hoefer. Raised in Freeport, IL, he graduated from Freeport High School in 1949. Enlisting in the US Navy he attended electronics school in Great Lakes. He first served on the USS Brinkley Bass DD 887 and later transferred to the USS Forest Royal DD 872. Both ships were deployed in Korean waters where he served from November 1950 through June 1951. Returning to the US eastern coast he was further deployed in the Caribbean, North Sea and Mediterranean. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans organizations. He was honorably discharged in 1953. John married Betty A. Collett in Rockford on June 26, 1954 and she preceded him in death on August 16, 2010 after 54 years of marriage.

Utilizing the benefits of the GI Bill, he graduated with honors from the University of Illinois- Urbana with his bachelor of science in 1956 then receiving his Masters Degree from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 1959. He taught geography and Earth Science, notably Pleasant Valley High School in Iowa and the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse for a total of 34 years. He retired early and was awarded Emeritus status by the University of Wisconsin system.  In retirement, he enjoyed working part time for the Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation, doing environmental work. As he used to say, “Doing what I taught my students to do”.   That stint lasted ten years. He then worked as the field supervisor for the US Census Bureaus’ 13 county Northern Wisconsin District for the 2000 Census.

Keeping a promise to Betty not to stay “Up North” during the winter, they traveled South Annually for 10 years in a motor home touring in the Southern US from the Carolinas through out the Gulf coast to the southwest, stopping in Arizona. Betty’s health prompted a return to La Crosse for retirement at last in 2003.

John is survived by his four children; Karen A. Schaller of La Crosse, John C. Hoefer of Minneapolis, MN, Susan L. Hoefer of La Crosse and Jeffrey S. (Kari) Hoefer of Baldwin, WI as well as six grandchildren, six great grandchildren and his sister Norma B. Wallace of Bend Oregon. IN addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Glenn.

Private family burial with military honors will take place in the cemetery he co-founded; Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the La Crosse American Legion Post 52.