Leonard Hoff

Leonard Hoff, 76, of Richardton, ND, affectionately known as Rocky, died Monday, January 14, 2008 in the St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 10:00 AM Mountain Time at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Richardton with Father Boniface Muggli, OSB and Abbot Brian Wangler, O. S. B. as Concelebrants. Visitation will begin at St. Mary?s after 4:00 pm Thursday with Vigil services and Rosary at 8:00 PM Mountain Time. Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery near Mandan, ND 3:00PM CST. Military rites will be by the Theodore R. Zech Post #180 of the Richardton American LegionRocky was born March 9, 1931, on the family farm south of Richardton, the son of John J. and Florence (Fleck) Hoff. He was raised and educated rural Richardton. Rocky married Leona Kuhn, May 7, 1949 at St. Mary?s. Rocky entered the United States National Guard February 27, 1950; he was then transferred to the US Army on January 16, 1951 and served with the 1st Calvary Division in Korea, with a rank of Sergeant First Class. He was discharged back to the National Guard Oct. 23, 1952 and discharged from the National Guard on February 26, 1953. Rocky returned to the area and farmed. In 1961 they added a Grade A dairy to the operation. When the children were grown, Rocky retired from the dairy and drove truck for the London Pantry Foods, and drove school bus. After taking refrigeration classes, Rocky started Southway Refrigeration, which kept him on the move to all the communities around Richardton. Being true entrepreneurs, Rocky and Leona started the Southway Hunters Lodge in 2001, a business that catered to pheasant hunters coming from coast to coast. Rocky was involved in the community as a lifetime member of St. Mary?s Church, American Legion Post #180, having held the office of State Commander, and alternate national committee man – the American Legion was his second family- he served six years school board president, holds lifetime membership in Elks #1137, 40 et 8, and Knights of Columbus, he was a first time owner operator of Rocky?s Lanes and Caf?, also an owner of the Highway Inn in Dickinson. He was instrumental in starting the Senior Citizens Center in Richardton. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife of 58 years, Leona, Richardton, his sons and daughters-in-law: Kenneth and Emily, Sidney, MT; Dennis and Twila, Hazen, ND; Randall and Donna, Grand Forks, ND; and daughters and sons-in-law: Roberta and Troy Shegrud, Makoti, ND; and Laurie and Dave Thompson, Bismarck, ND. His eight grandchildren: Nick (Brandy) Hoff, Neuly Hoff, Baily Hoff, Farrah Bleth, Brayden Thompson, Parker Thompson, Malisa Olsen, and Tyson Hoff and five great grandchildren. Rocky is also survived by his one brother: John (Irene) Hoff, Dickinson, ND; and five sisters: Clara (Frank) Melchior, Gladys Melchior, and Mary (Joe) Hammerschmidt, Geraldine (Harvey) Baer, all of Richardton and Rose Steiner, Carmichael, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Jake, two sisters Agnes Dallas and Lorine Hoff, and one granddaughter Laci Hoff.


Burial Date: January 18, 2008
Funeral Home Hebron, ND

Funeral Mass: Friday, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton