Wilda Alice Hoefer

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(Feb. 24, 1921 - Nov. 18, 2012)

Wilda Alice Hoefer died peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. She was 91.

Wilda was born Feb. 24, 1921 in Cheyenne to Maurice and Jessie (Martin) McLaughlin. She spent most of her childhood in Grass Creek. After graduating from Cody High School in 1939, she spent time working at a blueprint company, making the prints for the Heart Mountain Relocation Camp. She also welded nose cones for planes during WWII.

In 1945, Wilda graduated from “Normal School” with a teaching degree. In 1946, she moved to Clark to begin teaching.

In March of 1947, Wilda broke her watch. When she asked who could fix it, she was told, “Dick Hoefer could do it.” Three months later, on June 15, 1947, Dick and Wilda were married.

On their family farm in Clark, they raised four kids: Sherri, Noralee, Rich and Bill. The family moved to Billings in 1965, and for the next 18 years, Wilda spent her days taking care of Dick.

In 1984, Dick went into a nursing home and Wilda returned to Clark, to her beloved mountains and beautiful sunrises. In 1997, Dick and Wilda celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

One of her greatest accomplishments in her later years was single handedly starting the Clark Reunion, now known as the Clark Jubilee Days and celebrating its 25th year.

Wilda spent her last years at the Rocky Mountain Manor in Powell, where she had many dear friends.  

Wilda loved her mountains in Clark, starting each day with a sunrise, and hunting for rocks. She was always game for any adventure. She was a master at embroidery and could make the best “just jello” there ever was.

She never saw a cloud that didn’t look like something and never saw a sunset that wasn’t beautiful. Everyone who knew her loved her and she was Grandma to everyone she knew. Her ever present smile will be dearly missed. 

Wilda is survived by her four children: Sheri (Robin) Siring, Noralee Hoefer, Rich (Clovia) Hoefer, Bill (Dawn) Hoefer; nine grandchildren, Amy (TJ) Swanson, Ron (Wendy) Willis, Jessie (Jeramie) Krum, Kara (Ben) Parker, Herb Beslanowich, Cody (Angie) Hoefer, Tillie Hoefer, Kim Zwirlein and Kris Cameron. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jessie and Arthur Ljungvall, and Maurice and Suzie McLoughlin; siblings, Sadie and Tom McLoughlin, infant daughter Vernae; and great-granddaughter, Meah Krum.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. at the Bennett Creek Baptist Church in Clark. Burial will follow at the Clark Cemetery and a lunch will be provided at the Clark Pioneer Rec Center.

Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thompsonfuneral.net or P.O. Box 807, Powell, WY 82435.

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