Harry John Hofmeister Jr.

Harry John Hofmeister, Jr., 89, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on November 23rd, 2011.  A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, December 17th, 2011, 1-3p.m. at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia St., Lenexa, KS 66215. 

A close family, Harry is survived by a loving wife of 66 years, Margaret Loretta Banker-Hofmeister of the home, seven children and their spouses, James W. Hofmeister and Lynn Sue Horstman-Hofmeister of Houston, TX, John D. Hofmeister and Karen Otazo-Hofmeister of Houston, TX, Douglas F. Hofmeister and Michelle Leonardi-Hofmeister of Boulder, CO, Carol Hofmeister-Hornberger of Overland Park, KS, David R. Hofmeister and Jane Ann Bradley-Hofmeister of Winfield, KS, Margy Hofmeister-Ronning and Eric  A. Ronning of Prairie Village, KS, Michael J. Hofmeister and Brigitte Hamilton-Hofmeister of Mission Hills, KS, sixteen grandchildren, Hans Hofmeister, Heather Hofmeister, Heath Hofmeister (Geniffer Stoltzfus), Shannon Hofmeister-Pulling(Jim), Erica Hofmeister-Holtzinger(Chad), Emi Hofmeister, Gretchen Meck-Lee(Dennis), Justin Hornberger(Rhonda Kelley), Nicholas Hofmeister, Elliott Hofmeister, Rena Hofmeister, Mark Hofmeister-Ronning, David Eric Hofmeister-Ronning, Natalie Hofmeister, Emily Hofmeister and Max Hofmeister, eight great-grandchildren, Grace Pulling, Faith Pulling, James Pulling, Wyatt Holtzinger, Daisy Holtzinger, Violet Holtzinger, Tanner Lee, Connor Lee, and two sisters, Lois Hofmeister-Dudley and Linda Hofmeister-Waller.  Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Harry John Hofmeister, Sr. and Katherine Weber-Hofmeister, a sister, Katherine Hofmeister-Korff, a grandson, Matthew D. Hofmeister and a son-in-law, Howard H. Hornberger. 

Harry was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and majored in Agricultural Engineering at Penn State.  During college, he was a member of the Alpha Zeta Fraternity where he served as President, and a member of the Scabbard and Blade, a college military honor society.  He joined the Corp. of Engineers during WWII where he was stationed at Fort Belvois, Virginia, the army’s premier training site for engineers.  Margaret, originally from Omaha, Nebraska, moved to Washington, D.C. after high school to work for the Corp. of Engineers.  The two met at a dance and it was love of first sight. They married six months later and within a short time Harry was deployed with his unit to Okinawa, Japan where he served until the end of the war.   Before completion of his service, Harry received the rank of Captain with several commendations.  After the war, Harry taught at the University of Maryland. He spent 30 years of his career with Sperry New Holland located in Pennsylvania and was transferred to the Kansas City area in 1969.  Harry retired 25 years ago.  He enjoyed dancing, camping, golf, bridge, choir, watching his favorite sports teams and was active in his community and church. He served as President of the Round Hill Tennis and Bath Club, and was a lector at Cure of Ars Catholic Church.   The highlight of Harry and Margaret’s life together was their family.  They built a legacy filled with family events over many years.  One of the favorite functions is the celebration of Thanksgiving. The culmination of the weekend gathering includes a family talent show which just celebrated its 32nd year, in Harry’s honor.   

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society.