Verona (Heider) Hofts (85) died Jan. 31, 2020, in The Woodlands, Texas. She was born to William and Alma (Heidbrink) Heider of Chester, Neb., on April 22, 1934, and was baptized two weeks later by Pastor P. Strasen at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Verona was confirmed in the faith on May 23, 1948, by Pastor A. H. Mette at Trinity Lutheran Church (Friedensau) near Hebron, Neb.
Verona graduated from Thayer County primary school and from Deshler High School, Deshler, Neb., in 1952. On February 15, 1953 Verona married Dennis Hofts at the Trinity Lutheran Church (Friedensau).
Prior to her marriage, Verona did secretarial work at the Thayer County Courthouse in Hebron. She continued her secretarial duties at Concordia Teacher’s College in Seward, Neb., (1953-1954) and at Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kan. (1954-1955). After the birth of her two children, Kevin and Julie, she cared for them until they started school. She worked food service positions at the Topeka Lutheran School in Topeka and then at Goddard High School in Goddard, Kan., (1971-1989). From 1970-1971, Verona was also the Goddard City Clerk.
Verona is survived by her husband, Dennis, of The Woodlands, Texas; her son, Kevin Hofts of Denver, Colo.; and her daughter, Julie Pauls (husband Ralph Pauls) of The Woodlands, Texas. Verona had two grandchildren, Lauren Ahrens (husband Andy Ahrens) of San Antonio, Texas, and Mark Pauls (wife Brittany Pauls) of Tomball, Texas. She had five great-grandchildren, Hadley, Caroline and Jackson Ahrens and Ellison and Wesley Pauls. She is survived by six nieces, Barbara Gillis, Jean Orth, Sylvia Kyle, Rebecca O’Leary, Carmen Czisny and Kathy Heider; and four nephews, Ken Juengel, Dale, Rodger and Arlen Heider.
Verona was preceded in death by her sisters, Esther Juengel and Wilda Juengel; brothers, Louis, Elmer and Robert Heider; and nieces, Carolyn Filter and Nancy Turek.
Verona’s favorite hymns were “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” and “I’m But a Stranger Here.” Her cherished Bible verses included Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11 and the 23rd Psalm.
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery near Deshler with Pastor Ethan Feistner officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorial gifts be directed to the Living Word Lutheran Church, 9500 N. Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381
Internment was in the Saint Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery at Deshler.
Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior was in charge of the arrangements.
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