Esther N. Hoof

Obituary

Esther Norma (Heldt) Hoof was born on July 29, 1923, on the family farm near Plato, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Herman and Emma (Wischnack) Heldt. She was baptized as an infant on August 23, 1923, and was confirmed in her faith by Rev. E. H. Stahlke on March 21, 1937, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie. Esther received her education at McLeod County School District 48 (grades 1-7) and grade 8 at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Lester Prairie.

On April 3, 1940, Esther was united in marriage to Harold J. Hoof. The couple made their home in Lester Prairie for 29 years. In midlife, they moved to Long Prairie and later to Hutchinson. They were blessed with two sons, Harold, Jr. (wife Lois) of Kailua, Hawaii, and Stan (wife Kathryn) of Glencoe, Minnesota. Esther and Harold shared 65 years of marriage until Harold passed away on February 18, 2005.

In addition to being a homemaker and immaculate housekeeper, Esther held many jobs outside of the home. During the 1950’s she worked at the Alice Haney nursing home in Lester Prairie. She also worked briefly as a line worker at Green Giant and at 3M. During the 1960’s she worked at the Red and White grocery store in Lester Prairie. In the 1970’s she and Harold owned a motel in Long Prairie; and after they moved to Hutchinson, Esther worked as a seamstress at the local dry cleaners.

Esther was active in the Women’s Guild at all three churches to which she belonged over the years. Hobbies that she enjoyed included: gardening, canning, knitting afghans for her children and grandchildren, sewing, playing the card game Rook, watching the birds in her backyard, watching Hee Haw, and reading True Story magazine when she thought no one was looking.

Esther passed away on Monday, July 5, 2021, at GlenFields Living with Care in Glencoe Minnesota, at the age of 97 years, 11 months and 3 days.

Esther is survived by her:
Sons, Harold Hoof and his wife, Lois, of Kailua, HI,
Stanley Hoof of Glencoe, MN;
Grandchildren, Patti Myers and her husband, Ron, of Kailua, HI,
Paula Marchese-Caccamo and her husband, Paul, of Benicia, CA,
Sherry Hoof and her husband, John Melon, of Trabuco Canyon, CA;
Great-Grandchildren, Logan and Grace Myers, Sierra Marchese, and Cora Caccamo;
Many other relatives and friends.

Esther is preceded in death by her Parents, Herman and Emma Heldt; Husband, Harold Hoof; Brothers, Henry, Andrew, William, and Walter Heldt; Sister, Helena Heldt; Daughter-in-law, Kathryn Hoof.