Ronald D. Hoffman, 88, of Mitchell passed away on June 26, 2023, at WEL-Life in Scottsbluff. His funeral service will be held 2:00pm, Monday, July 3, 2023, at the Morrill Church of Christ in Morrill, NE with L.D. Alderson, and Kris Mickey officiating. Interment will follow at the Mitchell City Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 3-5pm at Jones Mortuary in Mitchell. A memorial in Ronald’s memory and honor has also been established to the church. Online condolences may be made by viewing Ronald’s memorial page at www.jones-mortuary.com. Jones Mortuary in Mitchell is entrusted with arrangements.
Ronald Dean Hoffman was born April 21, 1935, at the Scottsbluff Hospital to Jake and Eva (Herdt) Hoffman. In 1938 Ronald and his older brother Marvin lost their father in a work accident. His mother Eva then married Fred Steinbrecher a local farmer. With this marriage came a wonderful father and siblings: Lil, Vi, Dwaine and Larry. He referred to his mother as “the fastest and hardest working woman and the best cook ever!” Ronald spoke highly of Fred as being a kind, patient, and loving father. Because of his father, their family attended the Minatare Lutheran Church where they were faithful members and active volunteers. He attended North Highland & Minatare Schools. During his high school years, he participated in football, basketball, track and FFA. He received the Valedictorian honor as an 8th grader and later graduated with the class of 1953. After graduation he was united in marriage to the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Darlene Wickard. Ronald and Darlene were married for 69 years, from this union three children were born: Ronda, Steven and Lanna.
Ronald’s father, Fred, greatly influenced Ronald in regard to his future farming career. Right after graduating from high school, Ron was given the opportunity to work alongside his dad and older brother, Marvin, for a few years before forming a farming partnership together. This farming partnership raised sugar beets, corn, beans, alfalfa and fed cattle. In 1969 Ronald left the family farm to venture out on his own and began farming in the Mitchell/Morrill area. He stated “those early years were some of the saddest and loneliest times of my life.” The family soon adjusted and enjoyed living in the Dutch Flats area where Ronald began a successful farming operation. He retired in 2011 from using heavy equipment but continued until his passing with daily business decisions. Throughout his farming career he was recognized with multiple awards and was featured in the Nebraska Farmer Magazine for being the first farmer in the valley to use anhydrous ammonia. When it came right down to it, Ronald just loved dirt. He was also most proud of making the best irrigators of his granddaughters: Kenna, Kayle, Kelsey and Keelyn.
Ronald enjoyed reading comic books, watching western shows & movies, playing cards & games, bowling and water skiing. However, he was not an expert snow skier. He was known to wear his chore coveralls and a Pioneer seed corn hat on the slopes and just hoped to make it to the bottom of the mountain in one piece. He also enjoyed watching football and basketball, was a big Husker and Bronco fan, and thoroughly enjoyed March Madness. Ronald was a member of the Saddle Club where he organized and ran Gymkhanas and was awarded the All-Round Cowboy of 1968. Ronald and Darlene enjoyed traveling with close friends and family. Some of his favorite destinations over the years included Lake Powell, Hawaii, agricultural trips and cruises. Ronald and Darlene really enjoyed attending their grandchildren’s activities and athletic events. Grandchildren include Ty Reuter, Dani Gardner, Lyndsie Ramirez, Hayley Medina, Kenna Urwiller, Kayle Loutzenhiser, Kylor Hoffman, Kelsey Kuxhausen, Keelyn Carlson and Kaden Hubbard.
Ronald attended and was baptized in 1962 at the Minatare Church of Christ. Then in 1969 when he and his family moved to the Mitchell/Morrill area, he began attending the Morrill Church of Christ and held the elected offices of Deacon, Elder and Sunday school superintendent for many years. He also enjoyed playing church league softball and basketball. Ronald cared deeply for his church family and immensely enjoyed spending time with them.
Ronald is survived by his wife Darlene of Scottsbluff; his three children Ronda Reuter (Ron) of Mitchell, Steven Hoffman (Carla) of Morrill, and Lanna Hubbard (Doug) of Mitchell; brother Larry Steinbrecher (Debbie) of Kearney; godson David Hoffman (Cynthia) of Gering; 10 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents Jake Hoffman, Fred & Eva Steinbrecher; two sisters Lillian Little and Violet Kraft; and two brothers Marvin Hoffman and Dwaine Steinbrecher.
Throughout his career as a farmer, he spent a lot of time inspecting his crops. His attention to detail earned him a reputation as a man who was consistently “out standing” in his field.