Magdalena Katherine Walther (Maggie) was born to Rudolf Walther and Helena (Schlepp), in a sod home in Java, South Dakota on August 2, 1922. She was the eighth of eleven children, and at the age of 14, her mother passed away. Because her father traveled extensively as owner of a well-digging business, the younger children were raised by family members. Maggie was lovingly accepted as a daughter by her Aunt Magdalena Pfaff and her family, who farmed in Miles City, Montana. Around age 18, Maggie moved to Reardon, WA, working as a freight checker for five years during WWII at the Galena Army Air Base.
Initially through correspondence, she met her future husband, Emil Hoffer. Emil was serving in the Army Air Division, stationed in the Philippines, Fiji and Australia. After the war, Maggie and Emil married on June 24, 1945, and soon moved to Vancouver. Emil worked as a groundskeeper at the Veteran’s complex. Maggie worked at a day care center and taught Sunday school at Grace Lutheran Church where she faithfully attended since 1945. They spent vacations visiting both of their families throughout the west.
She loved family picnics and get-togethers, gardening, and relished dancing. Maggie was deeply adored and easily made friends, young and old. She was determined to live to 100 so she could see her photo on the Today Show, and she certainly had the zest to reach 100. Until her recent illness, she had a blast playing slot machines at casinos with her family, even flying to Reno, Nevada in her 90’s.
Maggie was delightful, spreading kindness everywhere. Like a candle in a dark room, she was an inspiration to all. She bravely faced pain, savored the simplest of experiences and would have you laughing as she caught you off guard with a sense of humor she described as “you never know what’s going to come out of me.”
Maggie was preceded in death by her husband Emil, her six (Walther) brothers—Edwin, Alexander, Fredrick, Jacob, Herman and Herald—and three sisters—Lydia Kranzler, Elsie Ridgely and Hertha Hirsch. She is survived by her sister Alvina Quenzer from Eureka, SD (who bravely flew for her first time for Maggie’s 90th birthday party); two adoring sons—Loren and Wayne; daughter-in-law Denise Schafte; and her grand-pups.
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