Ronald G Hoefer-85……Rapid City, South Dakota

Ronald G Hoefer, 85, died Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at the home of his daughter Tamara after a brief illness. He was born on May 11, 1939 to Martin Anton Hoefer and Lerena Margaret (Welch) Hoefer in Rapid City, SD. He graduated from Rapid City High School, Class of 1958. He married Mary Susan Beshara in 1958 and they had three daughters-Tamara, Shelley and Gina.

He was a partner in Hoefer Homes construction company with his father and brother Darwin in the 1950’s and 1960’s, building dozens of homes in the Robbinsdale and Strathavon subdivisions in Rapid City. Hoefer Avenue, Hoefer Court and Rena Place are all named after the family.

He owned and operated the Dry Dock Marina in the late 60’s and early 70’s-a fishing and hunting retail store on Deadwood Avenue.

He was a master carpenter whose accomplishments included work on Stav Kirke church in Chapel Valley, Rapid City; the carousel at Great America Amusement Park, Santa Clara, CA; Hungry Hunter Restaurant, San Jose, CA; and as a master stair builder at San Jose Stair Company, built elaborate staircases of all kinds in and around the San Francisco Bay area. He loved bowling in the 1960’s and 1970’s and bowled a 300, winning a bowling pin from the lanes where he was in league.

He retired in 1989 to Greenwood, SD, on the ranch he had always dreamed of owning-his piece of paradise. He built his home, a dam and pond, a bridge, and a Google-famous waterwheel on Box Elder Creek which runs through his property.

He had many accomplishments in the next several years: He was elected Fire Chief of the Nemo SD Volunteer Fire Department; he ran for Lawrence County Commissioner in 2002; he was on the board of the Tomahawk Country Club Golf Course; and went to auctioneering school.

His hobbies throughout his life included: Making his daughters’ dreams into realities, golf, bowling, hunting, baking, learning to play the mandolin, painting, photography, woodworking, bird-watching, and researching the history of Greenwood. He loved his dogs and his horses, the feral cats he fed, and the wildlife that inhabited his property.

In December 2019, he discovered he had a son, Randy, and welcomed Randy and his family into his life with open arms.

Ronald is survived by three daughters and a son: Tamara (Ken Kundel), Shelley, Randy Molde (Pam), and Gina (Ray Caamano). He leaves five grandchildren: Julian and Damian Robbins, Jade Moldae (Kelly), Lauren Chisum (David), and Aidan Caamano. He is survived by seven great-grandchildren: Jackson, Hudson and Addilyn Moldae, and Luke, Riley, Kori and Kyle Chisum. He is also survived by cousins, several nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Darwin, infant sister Sharon, special brother-in-law Jim, nephew Michael and two grand-nephews.

A celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2025 at Greenwood, SD. If you would like to be included, please contact Tamara at tamarahoefer59@gmail.com.

The family of Ronald wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Monument Home Hospice staff, especially the caring nurses and aid. We would also like to thank family members Tim, Teresa and Chris, Ron, and Lisa who lovingly cared for Ronald during hospice.

Cards may be sent c/o: Tamara Hoefer, PO Box 8071, Rapid City, SD 57709

Arrangements made by Behrens Wilson Funeral Home.