Calvin Hoff

Calvin Hoff, 91, passed away peacefully in the company of his family on May 21, 2018. Services will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, May 25, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Thomas R. Marcis, Jr., officiating. Military graveside services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, May 25, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. There will be no visitation. Born in Eureka, SD, on November 4, 1926 to Philippina and Henry Hoff, Calvin Hoff was one of 12 siblings. At just three years old, Cal lost his mother in a tragic car accident. The Hoff children were dispersed among local family and Cal was taken in by Martin and Margaret Miller of Wishek, ND. Cal grew up helping on the Gruebele farm, learning to hunt and trap, attending school, and taking part in childhood escapades with friends. After Cal graduated from Wishek High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served from 1945-1947 as a Fireman Second Class on the USS Hanson and from 1950-1954 as a Machinist’s Mate First Class on the USS Wiseman. Cal recalled his service with pride, relating stories of camaraderie and exploration. Upon his return from the Navy, Cal met Margaret Freidt of New Salem, ND. The two were married in 1955. Cal and Marge made their home and raised their three children, Angie, Cindy, and Jim, in Bismarck. Cal was employed for 32 years at the Amoco Refinery in Mandan. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, passions he shared with friends and cultivated in his children and grandchildren. There was no daybreak too cloudy, snowy, or cold to lay in the goose blinds among his decoys. The Hoff’s often spent weekends in Wishek visiting family, hunting, and gathering key ingredients for Marge’s homemade German cooking. In their retirement years and with grandchildren and great-grandchildren joining the fold, Cal and Marge’s home became a gathering place and stopping point for many. Their visitors enjoyed delicious holiday meals, morning coffee, lunches from Big Boy, and talk of hunting strategy, fishing spots, antiques, and auction sales. Cal remained an avid hunter, even into the fall of his 90th birthday. Shortly after each deer hunting season, the Hoff garage transformed for sausage-making weekend with all hands-on deck and samples frying in the kitchen. Cal’s family and friends will miss his mischievous smile and will carry on his legacy in their love of the outdoors. Cal is survived by his wife, Marge, their children, Angie (Dave Meidinger) Dietrich, Cindy (Brian) Eslinger, and Jim (Darcy) Hoff; grandchildren, Chad (Alicia) Dietrich, Teresa (Jeremy) Risovi, Ryan (Miranda) Dietrich, Reed (Emily) Dietrich, Leah (Collin) Weible, Beth (Andy) Dierker, Dan (Shari) Eslinger, Maria Hoff and Isaac Hoff; 20 great-grandchildren, 2 great-greatgrandchildren; sister, Lorraine Gilland; and his little buddy and beloved dog, Zorro. Cal was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. Memorials may be given to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46th St., Mandan, ND, 58554.