Allen Albert Hoeft

Allen Albert Hoeft, 82, of Stratford, SD, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at Prairie Heights Healthcare in Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, with Father Patrick Grode, Celebrant.

Burial follows at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation at the mortuary will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, with a liturgical wake service beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church on Monday.

Family and friends may sign Allen’s online guestbook and also view the service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Allen Albert Hoeft was born January 19, 1937, in Stratford, SD to Henry and Hattie (Adler) Hoeft.  He was the 7th of 10 children, sisters: Shirley, Charlotte, Lois, Lorraine, Elaine, and Pamela (Doug) and brothers: Leonard, Harwood, and Henry (Hilda).  Allen was in the last graduating class of Stratford High School in 1955.  For his secondary education, Allen was fond of saying he “was a graduate of the school of hard knocks”.

On November 26, 1960, Allen married Constance “Connie” LaBrie of Conde, who would become his partner in life for 59 years.  When his father died young, Allen stepped up to help run the family farm.  He then opened Al’s High-Grade Oil service station in Stratford.  In 1976 Allen sold the station and went to work for Firestone as a farm tire salesman for 23 years until he retired at 62.  Allen’s strong German work ethic kept him busy even after retirement, serving 12 years on the town board, in charge of building maintenance and streets.  Even into his 80’s he was rebuilding old John Deere tractors and doing woodworking projects, alongside planting and harvesting huge garden plots.  He also left his mark on many remodeling, repair, and new construction projects for his kids, grandkids, friends and neighbors. Allen served as Fire Chief for the Stratford Volunteer Fire Department from 1967-1983 and is credited with overseeing the construction of the Stratford Theater addition to the town hall.  He also loved hunting and fishing with friends and family, enjoying his last Alaskan Moose Camp trip when he was 79 years old.  Allen cherished his adventures and time spent with friends, Donny Vetch, Bill Unser, and Randy Kienow and cousin, Travis Hoeft.

Allen’s greatest love was his family, children:  Kurt (Julie Doblar), Mellette, SD, Greg (Karen), Glennallen, AK, Brian (Beth), Stratford, SD, Bridget (David) Berkley, Hot Springs, SD and Myron (Susan), Chualar, CA.  His grandchildren were the joy of his life, Lynsey (Matt), Nathan (Tara), David (Barb), Michael (Gina), Isaac & Sophia Hoeft and Cole & Jada Berkley.  He also adored his four great-grandchildren:  Andrew, Jacob, Owen, and Oliver (his birthday buddy) Hoeft.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents and siblings:  Shirley, Lois, Lorraine, Leonard, and Hank.

The family wishes to thank Tiffany Hoeft and the wonderful staff at Prairie Heights Care Center for their care and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials.