Verna Agnes (Hoffman) Befort

Verna Agnes (Hoffman) Befort

Loving Wife, Mother, & Grandmother -

Verna Agnes (Hoffman) Befort, age 86, of Mechanicsburg, PA, and formerly of Hays, KS, died at The Bridges at Bent Creek on Thursday, August 31, 2017, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.  Verna was born on Thursday, April 16, 1931, in Victoria, KS to the late Conrad Hoffman and Christina (Geist) Hoffman.  Verna is preceded in death by her ten siblings: Clara Goetz, Mary Hammerschmidt, Leona Manor, Ervin Hoffman, Angie (Huckleberry) Burk, Edwin Hoffman, Elmer Hoffman, Hubert Hoffman, Ernest Hoffman, and Edwin Hoffman.

Verna’s survivors include her husband of 63 years, Vernon “Vern” Sylvester Befort; her three sons: Howard Befort and his wife, LaDonna, Bruce Befort and his wife, Kathy, Brian Befort and his wife, Angie; her eight grandchildren: Tammy, Kassandra, Britton, Michelle, Maggie, Brice, Brandon, Brooke; her two great-grandsons: Brendan and Ethan; two siblings: Henrietta Windholz, Leroy Hoffman; and 38 nieces and nephews.

Verna loved to bake and cook.  With three growing sons and a large extended family, she enjoyed hosting dinners or picnics in the backyard.  There was never a shortage of good food and homemade desserts.  Verna loved to eat popcorn.  Many times she would make it the old-fashioned way on the stove top.  Any occasion was a good reason to enjoy her favorite snack; and she would often make popcorn balls during holidays and on special occasions for her grandkids.  Verna’s big bowl was always close by as she watched her Colorado Rockies and Denver Broncos play on TV.  An avid sports fan, Verna’s favorite team to watch and follow was her Rockies.  On many summer evenings, she could be found in her chair with her popcorn, rooting on the players and saying colorful things about the coaching.

While raising three active sons, Verna was always at a field or gym.  It was a comfort to her boys to know that they could look “over there” and count on their parents to be sitting in the bleachers or on lawn chairs.  After games, Verna was always there to encourage her boys’ efforts and to help them handle disappointments and adversities.  Their comforting presence did not end with their sons’ events; Verna and Vern traveled many miles and spent countless hours watching their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and children of their nieces and nephews.  Verna and Vern enjoyed traveling; and some of their fondest memories and greatest stories were their adventures with George and Lidia, traveling in a van through the U.S. and Canada.

Family history was especially important to Verna.  Together with the help of her nieces and nephews, they published the Hoffman family history book to be enjoyed by generations for years to come.  In 2003, it all came together as over 200 relatives gathered for a Hoffman Family Reunion in Westminster, Colorado, to celebrate their loved ones, both past and present.  The phone was a part of her life, as Verna loved to talk to family and friends, and always keep up on everyone’s news.  Always very generous with their time and love for family; throughout the years, Verna and Vern opened their home and hearts to nieces, nephews, and elders who needed special care, support, and love.

All are welcome to join Verna’s family at her visitation and gathering of family and friends on Sunday, September 10, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. until time of recitation of the Rosary by the Daughters of Isabella at 6:00 p.m. at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine Street, Hays, KS 67601.  Verna’s family invites everyone to her Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, September 11, 2017, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, 900 Cathedral Avenue, Victoria, KS 67671; with Fr. Harvey P. Dinkel celebrating.  Burial will follow in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Munjor, KS followed by a time of food and fellowship at the VFW Ft. Hays Post 9076, 2106 Vine Street, Hays, KS 67601.

Contributions in celebration of Verna’s life can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090, or www.ALZ.org . Verna’s family has entrusted her care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, PA, (717) 766-3421.  Read Verna’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com.