Denis Clem Hofbauer

Mass of Christian Burial for Denis Clem Hofbauer, age 87, of Muenster was held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Rosary and Vigil was held at 6:00 PM on Monday, June 24, 2024 at Scott Funeral Home in Muenster. Denis passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Muenster Volunteer Fire Department. Denis was born May 12, 1937 in Muenster. He was the third child of Clem and Helen Kleiss Hofbauer. Denis married Norma Jean Walterscheid on July 1, 1959. Denis grew up on the Hofbauer family farm while attending Sacred Heart Schools through graduation. As a young boy, Denis loved helping his dad with chores on the farm and milking as many as 16 cows by hand in the morning before school, as well as in the evening. After graduating from high school, Denis worked as a pumper for Trumpter Petroleum for several years and then went on to work for J&L Oilfield Repair and Supplies. For most of his life, Denis was the owner and operator of Denis Texaco, which was a full-service gas station in the heart of Muenster. He loved to serve the community from changing oil, pumping gas, and fixing flats with his own two hands. You could always count on Denis for a good story or joke to tell anytime you stopped by. If you knew him, you knew he was the king of jokes with a new one to tell everyday. When Denis wasn’t at the station, you could find him at the farm with his brother Dale doing what he loved most, which included plowing the land and looking after the cattle. He loved to ride around the farm on his three-wheeler that was nicknamed “Dangerous Denis.” In his free time, Denis enjoyed going hunting and fishing. For several years, when hunting season rolled around, he and his friends would take off to Colorado to hunt for elk. They referred to themselves as the “elkaholics.” Later in life, Denis spent his free time with Norma Jean and his children, whether that be eating something from the grill at Mike and Marsha’s, traveling to Thalia to ride around the countryside on the gator with Gina and Rocky, or attending sporting events with JJ and Heath. Denis was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was a third-generation men’s choir member and had the honor of singing with his father, Clem, for many years. His faith in God ran deep and has been passed on to his children. Denis is survived by his wife, Norma Jean of Muenster; one son, Mike Hofbauer and wife Marsha of Illinois Bend, and two daughters, Gina Wisdom and husband Rocky of Thalia, and JJ Johnson and husband Heath of Illinois Bend; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, and brother Dale Hofbauer and wife Dolores of Muenster. Preceding him in death were his mother and father, as well as his sisters Mary Evelyn Hermes and husband William, and Irma Fuhrmann and husband Ewald. The world is a sadder place without Denis in our lives. He touched each one of us with his ornery smile and witty personality. He left us with memories that we will cherish forever. We will leave you with a saying that Grandad often said, “I gotta get home to do some mechanic work.. I need to put a rear end in a recliner.”

Denis Clem Hofbauer

May 12, 1937 - June 20, 2024