Feb. 20, 1920 — Oct. 10, 2009
MONTROSE — Edwin S. Hofmann of Montrose, passed away late Saturday afternoon Oct. 10, 2009 at his home with his loving family by his side.
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Ed attended one summer of grade school, in a one room school in Cebolla, Colo., near Blue Mesa Reservoir, where he and his brother rode their ponies to school. He lived one year with his grandparents in Newark, Ohio, and he finished grade school and high school in Montrose, graduating with the class of 1938. He then attended Fort Collins College (Aggies), now Colorado State University, until he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in September 1941, honorably discharged in 1946, in which he returned to Aggies in Fort Collins where he received his degree in Agriculture Economics and his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field Artillery in May 1948.
On Aug. 5, 1955, Ed was united in marriage to Bette Raine in Ouray, Colo. Ed lived his entire life in Montrose, where he was a rancher and Water Commissioner.
Ed helped form the Chipeta Water District and served as its president for many years. He worked very hard for the Bostwick Park Water Conservancy District and served many years as it chairman. On June 15, 1962, then Gov. Steve McNichols appointed Ed as Water Commissioner for Water Districts 59 and 62, which he served for 27 years. Ed was active in National Western Stock Show, where he served as Superintendent of the Horse Show for many years. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge, a member of the Montrose County Fair Board, a 4-H leader, an Honorary FFA member and a member of the Montrose County Historical Society.
Ed loved local history since his father was among the first local ranchers in the sheep and cattle business in the area.
Ed is survived by his wife, Bette (Raine) of Montrose; his daughters, Stacy (Wes) Goza of Olathe, Colo., and Kelly Sue (Tabor) Sutherlin of Redvale; his sons, Michael Stuart (Nikki) Hofmann of Billings, Mont. and Patrick Jon (Robin) Hofmann of Oklahoma City, Okla.; as well as nine grandchildren: Jon (Tammy) Goza, Jackie (Mario) Marquez, Jaime Goza, Katelyn Hofmann, Bailey Hofmann, Logan Hofmann, Malisha Sutherlin, Taylor Sutherlin, Ashley Sutherlin; and four beloved great-grandchildren: Brannan Allen, Gentry Goza, Clayton Goza, and Sadie Marquez. Ed cherished each and every one of them with all of his heart. Ed is also survived by his brother, John Hofmann of Queensland, Australia, and a sister Rita Forster of Seattle, Wash.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends was held Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at 10 a.m., at the Crippin Funeral Home Chapel.
Burial will follow at Grand View Cemetery, west of Montrose.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made loving memory of Ed Hofmann to the Kasey Mumm Memorial, C/O Toni Anders, Olathe High School FFA, P.O. Box 280, Olathe, CO 81425.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.
Pam Ron Brown wrote on Oct 14, 2009 6:45 AM: