Kenneth K. Hoffmeister, 88, of Fort Madison, IA, passed away at 2:04 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at The Madison. He was born on April 19, 1934 in Chicago, IL to Kurt & Betty Feist Hoffmeister. He married the love of his life Dolores Jean Matthews on June 12, 1960 in Fort Madison, IA. He attended high school in Lakeland FL and then played football for the Florida University Gators. He later followed his family to La Harpe, IL where he worked with his father as a grocer and butcher in their family store for many years other than when he served in the U.S. Army in France. In 1966 Ken and Jean moved their growing family to Fort Madison where he worked for the First Mississippi fertilizer plant and was active in the community. He also ran a small business, home delivery of milk and dairy products and finally worked reading gas meters around Lee County before retiring. Ken always enjoyed an active community and social life; regardless of any work demands. He was active in the local Elks Lodge serving as it's Exaulted Ruler for 1988-89, a past president and founding member of the Lake Cooper Angling Association, and a former Trustee and Elder Emeritus at the First Christian Church in Fort Madison. He was also active in the Boy Scouts and inducted to scouting Order of the Arrow. As an avid outdoorsman Ken enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and supporting area conservation. His favorite getaway spot was being back in Florida on the beach and water around Sanibel Island; collecting shells, fishing, and relaxing in paradise with his beloved wife.
Ken is survived by: his wife: Jean Hoffmeister of Fort Madison, IA; sons: Kurt (Ellen) Hoffmeister of Marshalltown, IA & Trueman (Wendy) Hoffmeister of Manitowish Waters, WI; daughter: Joy (Bruce) Pankow of Farmington, MN; 6 grandchildren; his brother: Robert (Marsha) Hoffmeister of The Woodlands, TX and sister: Wilma (Phil) Nielsen of South Sioux City, NE. Plus his many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Bill (Sue) of Mount Pleasant, IA.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. A memorial service will be held at a later date at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be donated in Ken's name to the Fort Madison First Christian Church or the Lake Cooper Angling Association or may be sent to Jean Hoffmeister at 2210 Avenue H # 420, Fort Madison, IA 52627. If you should choose, you could instead make a donation in Ken’s name to your favorite local conservation association. Online condolences to Ken’s family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.
Along with Ken's many activities and interests; he welcomed any opportunity to spend time with his family and many good friends. He was a humorous, warm, generous, and kind-hearted man; especially enjoying his morning coffee with the Ten Inch Club.
