MAZEPPA -- The combined funeral for Frederick W. "Fritz" Hoefs, 65, and his wife, Mavis L. Hoefs, 61, of Mazeppa will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mazeppa, with the Revs. Alan Horn and William Ziebell officiating. Burial will be in Mazeppa Cemetery. The couple died Sunday (July 27, 2003) in an auto accident on U.S. 63 near Oak Center.
Frederick William Hoefs was born June 28, 1938, in New Ulm, Minn., and moved to Mazeppa with his family in 1946. He graduated from Mazeppa High School in 1956 and attended Mankato State College for a year before joining the Marines in July 1957. After his discharge in June 1960, he returned to Mazeppa and attended Rochester Junior College for a short time before moving to Minneapolis, where he was employed by John Deere Co. In 1970, he and his brother purchased Valley Motor &; Implement in Mazeppa from their father, and he operated it until his retirement in 1995. He was a charter member of the Mazeppa Lions Club, a former president of the church council, and a member of the Mazeppa Volunteer Fire Department and Zumbrota Golf Club. His interests included golfing, playing cards, traveling and fishing at Lake of the Woods.
Mavis L. Goosen was born Dec. 23, 1941, in Crookston, Minn., grew up in Euclid, Minn., and after graduating from Crookston High School in 1960, she moved to Minneapolis. She was a homemaker and worked at the Mazeppa Post Office for 10 years. Mrs. Hoefs was a member of the Horticulture Club, was a St. John's Lutheran Church ladies aide, served on the Mazeppa School Board, and was a member of the Mazeppa Women's Improvement Club and Bridge Club. She enjoyed gardening, antiquing and traveling.
They were married Dec. 9, 1961, in Euclid and lived in Minneapolis and Prior Lake, Minn., before moving to Mazeppa in 1970.
They are survived by three sons, Gary (Lori) of Oronoco, Stephen (Beth) of Lake City and Michael of Denver; two daughters, Carolyn (Mike) Schulein of Marshfield, Wis., and Susan (Jeremy Claxton) Hoefs of Mazeppa; and eight grandchildren.
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Mr. Hoefs is also survived by a sister, Gretchen (Glen) Goodman of Burnsville, Minn.; and a brother, Robert of Mazeppa.
Mrs. Hoefs is also survived by two brothers, David (Linda) Goosen of Crookston, Minn., and Boyd (Kay) Goosen of Grand Forks, N.D.
Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mahn Family Funeral Home-Larson Chapel in Zumbrota and an hour before the service Friday at the church.
