JoAnn Zink Hofstra - LHS Class of 1952

JoAnn (Zink) Hofstra age 85, Valley Falls, died Sunday, June 14th, 2020. She was born November 30, 1934 at Leavenworth, the daughter of Emery and Letha (Sales) Zink. 

She attended Leavenworth High School and participated in the marching band, graduating in 1952. After graduation, she began working for the Red Cross in Leavenworth.
JoAnn married Ed Hofstra Jr. on June 2, 1957, in Leavenworth, and became a Navy fighter pilot’s wife. They raised a family while moving all over America, mostly on the West and East coasts. 

In 1974, Captain Hofstra retired from the Navy, and the family moved back home to Kansas, buying a farm near Valley Falls. The Hofstra’s became members of Calvary Baptist Church, and JoAnn was active as the church organist and treasurer. She also typed up the church bulletin every week. JoAnn loved the Lord. In 1977, she started working for Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Topeka, eventually becoming the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President. She made many friends and considered BC/BS her second family. Upon her retirement in 1997, she was active in BC/BS retiree luncheons and get-togethers for many years to come. 

Ed passed away in 2006 and JoAnn continued living at the home. She had family support and wonderful neighbors she could always count on. Thanks to all of you. JoAnn was preceded in death by a half-sister, Lorraine Orlowski, Leavenworth. She is survived by her son, Nathan (Kayla) Hofstra, Ozawkie; and two daughters, Marilee (Dennis) Gordinier, Ozawkie; and Becky (Tim) Crouch, Independence Missouri.; Eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

JoAnn will lie in state at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls 2-6 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2020 and 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Thursday June 18, 2020. Funeral services will at 11 a.m., Friday, June 19, 2020 at Calvary Baptist Church in Valley Falls. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m., at the church. Burial will be at Sunset Memory Gardens in Leavenworth at 1:30 p.m. 

Memorials may be given to Calvary Baptist Church –Valley Falls, c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 6, Valley Falls, Ks 66088. Click here to leave a special message for the family in JoAnn's online Guestbook.

Together ♥♥♥ Forever

U.S. Navy retired Capt. Edward J. Hofstra Jr., 78, Valley Falls, died Saturday, June 17, 2006, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka following a heart attack.His 30-year military career included enlistment during World War II, surviving a crash landing behind enemy lines in Korea and flying missions in Vietnam as the commander of the VA 72 Blue Hawks.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous other air medals. His last duty assignment was at the Pentagon in the Department of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Air Warfare.
Upon his retirement, he purchased a farm near Valley Falls and became a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He was a member of the Flying Midshipmen Association.
He was born on Oct. 11, 1927, at Leavenworth, the son of Edward J. Hofstra Sr. and Mary Katherine Wandmaker Hofstra. He graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1945 and the University of Kansas in 1958.
He married Jo Ann Zink (LHS Class of 1952) on June 2, 1957, at Leavenworth.
Survivors include his wife, Jo Ann, of the home; a son, Nathan Hofstra, Ozawkie; two daughters, Marilee Gordinier, Ozawkie, and Becky Crouch, Independence, Mo.; a sister, Marianna Spain, Leavenworth; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2006, at Calvary Baptist Church in Valley Falls. Burial with military honors will be at 3 p.m. at Sunset Memory Gardens in Leavenworth. Visitation will be from noon until service time Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson County District 11 EMS and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, 810 Broadway, Valley Falls, KS 66088. Online condolences are available at http://www.mercerfuneralhomes.com/fh/obituaries/tributes.cfm?o_id=47055&fh_id=10579.