Darlene Deeloris Lomheim

Beloved Darlene DeeLoris Lomheim went home to be with her Lord on February 4, 2024. Born on October 14, 1927, to John and Mary (Pullman) Hofer, farmers in rural Onida, South Dakota, she was a farm girl at heart and loved animals, gardening and the outdoors all of her life. She also liked to sew, quilt, sing, and play the piano. She gave her heart to Jesus at a young age. One verse she often said was meaningful to her was John 5:24. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”   She often remarked that following Jesus was the best decision she ever made. 

She taught in a one-room schoolhouse for two years in Sully County, South Dakota, and then attended Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, where she graduated with a degree in music, specializing in voice and piano. In 1950, she married Jim Lomheim, and together they served with Mission Aviation Fellowship for 25 years in Mexico, Brazil, and Southern California. Their children Bruce, Terry, Joy, Carlos, and Tim were born in Mexico and Brazil. The family returned to California in 1966. After 30 years of happy marriage, Jim passed away in 1980. Four years later she was blessed to marry  Albert Lomheim, a brother-in-law who had lost his wife, Shirley.

Darlene did not know a stranger and throughout her life warmly welcomed family, friends, neighbors, and exchange students into her home. Over the years, she was a teacher’s aide, worked at Disneyland, and two group homes for children.

She was loved deeply and will be missed greatly by her family. She was predeceased by her parents, John & Mary Hofer, sisters Joanne Hofer (in infancy) and LaVerne Hofer Wright, brothers Maynard and Ken Hofer, husbands Jim and Albert Lomheim.

She is survived by her brother, Darryl Hofer (Patty Rappana), sister, Judith Hofer Brady (Tom), 5 children and their spouses, Bruce (Rose Abdullah), Terry (Bernice Crawford), Joy (James Henderson), Carlos (Luana Coimbra), Tim (Karen Paulson); 14 grandchildren, Matthew Lomheim, Aisha Lomheim, Jill Lomheim, Justin Lomheim (Sara Hayu), Jason Lomheim (Kat Reese), Jordan Lomheim (Katie Reynolds), Christina Henderson Harner (Andy), Garrett Henderson, Melody Henderson, Luke Henderson, Elizabeth Lomheim Zuck (Sam), James Lomheim, Alexa Lomheim Meiser (Jacob), Allison Lomheim Rodriguez (Jesse); 14 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.