DeLores Lorraine Hoff Hoeldtke

Delores Lorraine Hoff Hoeldtke, of Jackson, TN, after a prolonged illness, passed from this life into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 22, 2019, at the age of 85 years, 8 months, and 16 days.

She was preceded in death by her parents; five sisters: Maryanne Hoff, Gladius Hoff, Thelma Kemp, Vivian Swierenga, and Marjorie Gegelmann.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, John Hoeldthe; four children: Deborah Hoeldtke, Nathan (Kim) Hoeldtke of Jackson, TN, Rebekah Roehl of Edmonds, WA and Sarah (Edward) Bolme of Charlotte, NC; five grandsons: Zacharias, Ezekiel, and Malachi Hoeldtke, Josh Roehl, and Talon Bolme; one granddaughter: Rachel Bolme; two sisters: Frances Hoffman of Minneapolis, MN, and Loretta Blank of Harrisonburg, VA; and several nephews and nieces.

She was known by many people in different locations who fondly remember her as the wife of their pastor or simply as a good and caring friend. Those who knew her in any depth knew that the central and supreme love of her life was Jesus Christ. Friends sent her a card with these lines which say what she would say: There's only one man, the Author of life, who overcame death and the grave. There's only one lamb who is holy enough, whose blood has the power to save. There's only one Shepherd with love so great He'd choose to die for our gain. There's only one Lord, one matchless King, Who's worthy forever to reign. DeLores, the sixth daughter of a Godly couple named Fred and Katharina Hoff, was born on their farm on the windswept prairies of North Dakota near the town of Venturia. Her elementary school learning was in a one- room school house on the same farm. To attend high school she boarded and did light housekeeping in the town of Wishek, ND. During her teen-age years, DeLores longed to be right with God but struggled with assurance about her salvation. By God’s grace this was resolved as she came to realize it was a matter of faith, not feelings. She lived with confidence of being forgiven and truly belonging to Christ. After graduating from high school in 1951 she attended a teacher’s college in Ellensdale, N.D., during summer sessions and taught in a one-room school for two years. In 1953, DeLores enrolled in Northwestern College, at that time in Minneapolis, MN, from which she graduated in 1959 with a degree in Christian Education. At college she became acquainted with John Hoeldtke 7 whom she married on August 1, 1958.During her husband’s theological seminary years, she had employment doing secretarial work and assisted John in his student pastorate in Sunrise, MN. Her role as a pastor’s wife continued at Elim Baptist Church in New Britain, CT (1961-1965), Olivet Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN (1965-1979), and First Baptist Church, Ephrata, WA (1979-1982). She was a God-given “help meet” for John and his ministry, and is remembered by many as someone who was always thinking about the needs of others. A number of younger pastors’ wives have credited DeLores with being their role model. During those pastoral years, she and John had four children: Deborah (Aug. 4, 1959), Nathan (Jan. 1, 1963), Rebekah (Dec. 22, 1964), and Sarah (Nov. 28, 1966). When John took on leadership in the Columbia district of the Baptist General Conference (now Converge), DeLores worked temporary jobs and eventually became a tech aide at Boeing Aircraft Company for 15 years. Her quiet but steady Christian witness was well-known. Occasionally she led-small Bible studies with some of the office workers there. During the years John was engaged in evangelistic and mission work with his organization Flame Ministries, DeLores assisted and helped maintain their home in Everett, WA, frequently making use of her gift of hospitality. With her husband, after he retired, she moved to Jackson, TN, in April 2016, where their son and his family were located. DeLores was a woman ho not only loved God’s Word and people, but she was also a woman of prayer. She had Special concern for. Christians undergoing persecution and was supporter of the Voice of the Martyrs work.

DeLores, the sixth daughter of a Godly couple named Fred and Katharina Hoff, was on their farm on the

windswept prairies of North Dakota near the town of Venturia. Her elementary school learning was in a one-

room school house on the same farm.

To attend highschool she boarded and did light housekeeping in the town of Wishek, ND.During her teen-age years, DeLores longed to be right with God but struggled with assurance about her salvation. By God’s grace this was resolved as she came to realize it was a matter of faith, not feelings.She lived with confidence of being forgiven and truly belonging to Christ.

After graduating from high school in 1951 she attended a teacher’s college in Ellensdale, N.D., during summer sessions and taught in a one-room school for two years. In 1953, DeLores enrolled in Northwestern College, at that time in Minneapolis, MN, from which she graduated in 1959 with a degree in

Christian Education. At college she became acquainted with John Hoeldtke whom she married on August 1, 1958. During her husband’s theological seminary years, she had employment doing secretarial work and assisted John in his student pastorate in Sunrise, MN. Her role as a pastor’s wife

continued at Elim Baptist Church in New Britain, CT (1961-1965), Olivet Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN (1965-1979), and First Baptist Church, Ephrata, WA (1979-1982). She was a God-given “help meet” for John and his ministry, and is remembered by many as someone who was always thinking about the needs of others. A number of younger pastors’ wives have credited DeLores with being their role model.

During those pastoral years, she and John had four children: Deborah (Aug. 4, 1959), Nathan (Jan. 1, 1963), Rebekah (Dec. 22, 1964), and Sarah (Nov. 28, 1966). When John took on leadership in the Columbia district of the Baptist General Conference (now Converge), DeLores worked

temporary jobs and eventually became a tech aide at Boeing Aircrafi Company for 15 years. Her quiet but steady Christian witness was well-known.

Occasionally she led-small Bible studies with some of the office workers there. During the years John was engaged in evangelistic and mission work with his organization FlameMiniStries, DeLores assisted and helped maintain their home in Everett, WA, frequently making use of her gift of hospitality.

With her husband, after he retired, she moved to Jackson, TN, in April 2016, where their son and his family were located. DeLores was a woman who not only loved God’s Word and people, but she was also a woman of prayer.

She had Special concern for. Christians undergoing persecution and was a supporter of the Voice of the Martyrs work.