Ruth Eleen Hochhalter

Ruth Eleen Hoffman Hochhalter, 94, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, with Pastor Matt Spoden officiating.

A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the service at the church hall.

Private family burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral at the church. 

Carlsen Funeral Home, 1708 8th Ave NE, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and also view the service at www.aberdeenfuneralhome.com.

Ruth Eleen Kapp was born on May 7, 1930, to Jacob and Lydia (Gohl) Kapp in Dupree, SD.  In 1938, they moved to Leola, SD, where she attended and graduated from high school. 

She was employed at FSA for 35 years.  Ruth married Elmer Hoffman in 1951. They were blessed with two daughters, Marilyn and Peggy. Elmer later passed in 1982. In 1985, she retired and moved to Aberdeen, where she volunteered at church and various organizations. In 1986, Ruth married Jerome Hochhalter.  They resided in Aberdeen, SD, and wintered in Arizona for 15 years.

Ruth was a member of NARFE, Legion Aux., and ELCW. She was a member of St James Lutheran Church in Leola & Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen.

Ruth is survived by her two daughters, Marilyn (Terry) Kline of Mina of SD, and Peggy (Jim) Thorpe of Aberdeen, SD; six grandchildren: Ryan (Stephanie) Kline, Eric Kline, Heather (Jason) Grebner, Crystal Thorpe, Dusty (Kassy) Thorpe, and Maggie (Luke) Bruns; sixteen great- grandchildren: Abigail, Grace (Nathan), Adam (Sunny), Hope, and Lydia Kline; Dan, Matthew (Kristen), Lilly, & Joseph Grebner; Kenton, Maeve, & Rayne Thorpe; Beckett, Kohen, Paxon & Boston Bruns; step-children: Sheri (Dan) Larson; Cal, Ken (Isabel), & Vic Hochhalter; Twyla (John) Maines; step-grandchildren: Bradley (Melinda), KC, Jenel, Bo, Kayla Hochhalter; Derek (Abbey) & Andrew (Nicole) Larson; Corey (Madi), Sarah, & Kevin Maines; step great-grandchildren: Nathaniel, Diana, Savanah, Jaden Hochhalter; Presley, Ember, Trent, Tyler, and Tristan White, Braxton, Baylor, Parker, Owen, & Madelyn Larson; Emmitt & Evelyn Maines, Addyson, Emery, Bryce & Tyelynn Hochhalter; and siblings: Mary (Viril) Layton and Marie (Gordon) Geffre.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Elmer Hoffman; second husband, Jerome Hochhalter. She is also preceded in death by her siblings: Otto, Emphraim, Richard, Gertie, Gloria, and Erna, and her great-grandchild, Laila Bruns.

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