Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

MR. JACOB J. ""JAKE"" HOFER of Raymond, beloved husband of Mrs. Carolyn E. Hofer, passed away suddenly, after a short illness, at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at the age of 81 years.

Jake was born on January 30, 1930 near Raley, Alberta, where he spent his early childhood. At age 14, he moved with his family to the Stirling area. At age 29 he met and married his lovely wife, Carolyn Esther (Diller). They raised their family and farmed near Stirling, Alberta. He enjoyed tinkering in his shop, going for coffee at Tim Horton's, visiting his children and grandchildren, and adding spice to the lives of all he met. He committed his life to Christ and always tried to live his life the way he felt God wanted him to. His genuine interest in others enabled him to make total strangers feel like old friends.

Besides his loving wife Carolyn, Jake is survived by his six daughters; Donna (David) Mosemann, Sharon (Lamar) Martin, Marilyn (Mark) Miller, Janice (Dave) Denlinger, Joyce (Tim) Eveleth, Sarah (Brent) Fleagle, his two sons; Richard Hofer and Rodney (Gwenda) Hofer, along with thirty-three grandchildren, three sisters, one brother, and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Jake was predeceased by his parents, John B. and Barbara, one grandson, two brothers, three half-brothers, and three sisters.

Family and friends may pay their respects between 5:00 and 8:00 pm on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th Street South, Lethbridge.

At Jake's request, a Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at STIRLING MENNONITE CHURCH, South on Range Road 201, with Michael Hofer and Edwin Bontrager, officiating.

Interment will follow in the Stirling Mennonite Church Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Christian Aid Ministries of Canada c/o Stirling Mennonite Church, Box 645, Raymond, AB T0K 2S0, or to STARS Air Ambulance, P.O. Box 570, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 8M7.