Raymond Joseph Hoffner, 91, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Esmond, ND, passed away on April 16, 2019 in Mesa, AZ.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, April 26, 2019 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond with Fr. Brian Bachmeier celebrating. Visitation will begin one hour before the service at the church. Burial will take place at the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Music provided by Helen Arnold and Kenny Streifel. Casket Bearers are Raymond Reading, Rory Hoffner, John Reading, Ryan Hoffner, Jesse McLaurin and Jeff Boyer. Military Honors will be provided by: Theodore A. Togstad American Legion Post #123, Robert Tovsrud VFW Post #757 and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.

Raymond was born January 19, 1928 to George and Elizabeth (Pfau) Hoffner south of Esmond. He graduated from high school in 1945 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on November 9, 1945. He received an honorable discharge from the Corp on November 8, 1948. After serving in the Marine Corp, Raymond returned home and married Shirley Johansen on November 7, 1949, they settled northeast of Esmond where he farmed and raised his family.

Raymond farmed until 1986 and moved to Fargo, ND where he worked for several years. In 2005 he moved he moved to Mesa, AZ., where he worked, retiring at the age of 86.  Raymond enjoyed playing baseball (in his younger years), spending time with family, enjoying grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, making a yearly summer trip to his farm, and making people laugh.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Shirley of Mesa, AZ; children, Dicky (Colleen) Hoffner, Sheyenne, ND, Karen (Rod) Knorr, Detroit Lakes, MN/Mesa, AZ, Beth Asijie, Mesa, AZ, Michelle (Jesse) McLaurin, Chandler, AZ, Darren (Sherri) Hoffner, Mesa, AZ, Bobby Hulst, Maine; 19 Grandchildren; 31 Great Grandchildren; 4 Great-Great Grandchildren; siblings, Leo (Arlene) Hoffner, Esmond, ND, Jack (Gerry) Hoffner, Fargo, ND, Adrian (Elvina) Hoffner, Arizona City, AZ, Patty (Richard) Heisler, Devils Lake, ND, Dorothy (Richard) Toso, Bothell, WA; sister-in-law, Eileen Hoffner of Esmond, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Elizabeth Hoffner; mother and father in-law, Gladys and Anton Johansen; siblings, Irene and Einar Dahlstad, Rose and Jake Schwab, Sebastian and Pat Hoffner, Cecelia Allen, Eddy Hoffner, Margie Heilman, and Annetta Harrison.

We love you Raymond, Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, Great-Great Grandpa.