Leonard Hoffman

Leonard Julius Hoffman, 87, passed away January 31, 2012 at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings following a rapid decline in his health. He was born December 16, 1924 on a farm north of Bradshaw to Julius Albert and Anna (Stindt) Hoffman. Leonard was baptized at Bradshaw Harmony Church on April 12, 1925. Having lost both of his parents when he was young, his older brothers, Martin and Orville took him in to their homes. Leonard graduated in 1942 from Bradshaw High School. Two years later, he married Helen Marie Garrett on July 5, 1944 on her family farm 4 miles north of Central City. Shortly thereafter, he entered the U.S. Army in August, 1944, serving in Company B 176th Battalion 97th Regiment at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. After recovering from injuries suffered during training exercises, he served with Headquarters Company, Camp Robinson, in Little Rock, Arkansas until 1946. Leonard belonged to the American Legion Post in Polk and later joined the Bolton Post #19 in York. He was also a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

A lifelong York County farmer, one of his greatest pleasures was spending a spring morning on the farm. When he wasn’t working the ground or tending livestock, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf. Leonard treasured his 62 years of marriage to his wife, Helen, who he cared for through her long battle with cancer. Her death profoundly impacted his life the past five and a half years.

Leonard is survived by his son, Dan Hoffman and wife, Shirlene, Bradshaw; daughter, Candice Christen, Pawnee City; six grandchildren: Brenda Linder and husband, Kevin, Lincoln; Jeffrey Hoffman and wife, Julie, Omaha; Jenni Ackerman and husband, Tim, Clayton, North Carolina; Matthew Christen, Sidney; Jodi Parsons and husband, Mark, Crofton, Maryland; Rosemary Christen, Norton, Kansas and 7, soon to be 10, great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; parents, Julius & Anna Hoffman; brothers, Martin, Walter, Orville and Lawrence; and son-in-law, James Christen.

Graveside services with full military honors were held Friday, February 3, 2012 at 11:00 am in Greenwood Cemetery. Leonard’s family is especially grateful to Rebecca Brungardt with York Home Health for her kindness and compassion over the years. In honor of that special care, the family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to York Home Health.