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Mailen D. Hoefs

Mailen E. Hoefs

Mailen E. Hoefs, 90, of Kendall, died Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Center, Sparta. He was born March 30, 1919, to Fredrick and Frieda (Doms) Hoefs on the family farm in the Town of Wellington. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church. He was united in marriage to Edna Zuhlke on June 20, 1945, at St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church.

He worked and lived on the family farm until his retirement in 1987. In the years following his retirement, Mailen enjoyed working for the bike trail as a bicycle mechanic. He was a lifetime faithful member of St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Ridge, serving as a past member of the church council. He also served as a past treasurer for the Sunnyslope Country Grade School. He was an avid sports fan of the Milwaukee Braves, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers. Mailen was not just an average farmer. He will be remembered most for his creative and innovative mechanical inventions, in the early 1940s turning a car into a tractor to creating an electric generator powered by a windmill. He was a visionary ahead of his time. He also enjoyed feeding the cats and the birds on the farm, fishing, and was an avid bowler for over 20 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Edna; a son, Gaylen of Kendall; a daughter, Julie (Bruce) Zirk of La Valle; two sisters, Ellamae Brandau of Onalaska and Vernabelle Kastberg of Sparta; two sisters-in-law, Elna “Babe” Witt of West Salem and Laverne Zuhlke of Kenosha; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marguerite; five brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law.

A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. today (Thursday), Sept. 17, at St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, South Ridge. Pastor Fred Fedke officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. Relatives and friends called at the church today (Thursday) from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Kendall, assisted the family with arrangements.