Lavina Hofer, age 86 of Bismarck, formerly of Turtle Lake, ND, died Monday, June 22 at a Bismarck hospital.

Funeral Services: 2:00 PM Thursday, June 25, 2009;
Trinity Lutheran Church - Turtle Lake, ND;
Rev. Betty J. Stedman, Officiating

Interment: Turtle Lake Cemetery

Visitation: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church

Lavina was born on August 20, 1922 in Turtle Lake, ND to Jacob & Dina (Bauer) Hofer. She was educated in Turtle Lake and graduated from Turtle Lake High School in 1941. Following graduation, she worked for Emil Haas Grocery in Turtle Lake. Lavina moved to Racine, WI and worked two jobs before returning to Turtle Lake where she taught at a country school for two years. She was then employed with the North Dakota State Tax Department for four years and also worked at J.C. Penney's in Bismarck. In 1950, Lavina moved to Sacramento, CA where she worked for Bush Realty for six years. In 1956, she began working as a bookkeeper for Williams, Bowker, & Ward Real Estate Management Co. Lavina was employed with the real estate management firm until her retirement at the age of 79. She moved back to Turtle Lake in 2004 to be closer to family. Lavina was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Sacramento and Trinity Lutheran Church in Turtle Lake. She was also a 52 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her brother, Marvin (Clarice) Hofer of Turtle Lake; two nieces, Gayle (Tom) Redmond & Connie (Bruce) Neumiller of Turtle Lake; five great nieces & nephews; five great-great nieces & nephews; nephew-in-law, Les Lelm of Turtle Lake; and many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her birth mother, Dina (Bauer) Hofer; her father & mother, Jacob & Leontina Hofer; one sister & brother-in-law, Casteneda & Roy Hanning; and her niece & godchild, Karen Lelm.