Thomas Victor Hoffmann

Thomas Victor Hoffmann of Nenzel, Neb. passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at his home in Nenzel.  

He was born on February 18, 1936, to Victor Leo Hoffmann and Frances Joan (Pfisterer) Hoffmann at the Hoffmann Ranch during the bad winter of 1936.  He was raised on the family ranch that was homesteaded by his grandpa Peter.  He grew up with his older sister Helen and younger brother Jim. Tom attended grade school through ninth grade in Nenzel.  He completed his high school career at Chadron Prep and graduated in 1953.  

Tom attended the University of Nebraska from 1953 - 1958 and enlisted in the Army ROTC Program. He was also a member of Farmhouse Fraternity. As National Commander of the Pershing Rifle Club he was an excellent marksman and really enjoyed competing. He was a past state President of Junior Stock Growers and met Ruth Ann Lotspeich at a convention. They were married after he graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1958. Upon completing Army basic training, he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant Commanding Officer. Mary Beth (Hoffmann) Fergus and John Thomas Hoffmann were born in Fort Hood, Texas.  While his Army unit was testing a tank prototype, there was an explosion where Tom severely injured his neck. He was Honorably discharged after his 2-year enlistment period due to this injury in 1960. He returned to Nenzel to begin his career of ranching with his father Vic and brother Jim.  His son Victor Paul Hoffmann was born in 1961 soon after he returned to the family ranch. After his military service, he continued his sense of duty through the American Legion. He was a very active lifetime member of the local Post #319 in Cody for over 56 years.

Tom married Jeanette Audrey Johnson on October 21, 1971. Tom and Jeanette lived on the family ranch north of Nenzel while raising their two children Tom and Jennifer. They had been married for 45 years. Tom loved everything about ranching and the Sand Hills. He loved being part of his children’s college experiences, arranging camping & boating trips to Merritt Reservoir, attending Johnson-Dunne Family Reunions, spending time with his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and visiting with family and friends. Tom was always up for traveling and enjoyed hearing about trips of loved ones and checking out the atlas to find the best route and things to see along the way. Most recently, he rarely would miss any 4-H, music, dance, or school and sporting activities of his seven youngest grandchildren. He was known and loved by many at each event. He will be cheering them on with Grandma now!

After ranching, Tom drove truck for Danielski’s for several years.  He enjoyed many trips to Texas to the King Ranch. Tom was a lifetime alumni member of UNL and loved cheering on the Cornhuskers. As a result of these experiences, it was common that when he would travel, he either knew someone or could recall stories to people he had met over the years. 

Tom had an amazing memory. He loved collecting IH tractors with his son Tom and keeping his home and grounds tidy in Nenzel. Tom was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nenzel, Neb. most of his life. He had achieved the ranking of fourth degree knight in the Knights of Columbus.  

Tom was preceded in death by his wife Jeanette Audrey (Johnson) Hoffmann, his parents Victor Leo & Frances Joan (Pfisterer) Hoffmann, his sister Helen Kroeger and brother-in-law Jim Kroeger, his son Victor Hoffmann, and Jeanette’s daughter Jean Pelc.

He is survived by his children Mary Beth (David) Fergus, John T. Hoffmann, Thomas V. (Stephanie) Hoffmann II, Jennifer (Lealand) Schoon, and stepchild Russell D Laughlin. His pride and joy were his 17 grandchildren:  Julie (Noah) Parker, Jonathon (Kayla) Fergus, Hannah Fergus, Cassidy Hoffmann, Madalyn and Luke Hoffmann, Seth, Adrik, Jesse, Reagan and Brielle Schoon; and step grandchildren Perry (Amy) Pelc, Jill (Jay) Wolf, Darrin, Jeremy (Dixie), and Kevin (Ashley) Pelc; and 13 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild. Tom will be missed by his brother, Jim, and his niece and nephew, Nicole and Michael (Kellie) Hoffmann and great niece Kate; niece and nephew, Donna (Simon) Ohori and Doug (Shirley) Kroeger, and his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the community for looking out for our dad these past years. Memorial Donations may be sent in care of the family to St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Nenzel, Neb. Funeral arrangements are by Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine, Neb.  An online guest book is available at Sandozfuneralhome.com. Funeral service was held on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. MDT at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nenzel, Neb.  The burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery.