Lowell Hoffard, 56

ÝÝÝ Thief River Falls - Lowell Hoffard, 56, died on Sunday, August 22, 2004 at his home in Thief River Falls, following a long illness.

  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday (today), August 25, at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, with Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Casket bearers include Hal Harbott, Steve Breiland, Abdul Chamma, Clayton Stigen, Keith Bugge and Gordon Benson. Honorary casket bearers include all of Lowellís grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post 117 and VFW Post 2793. Interment will be held at Our Saviorís Cemetery in McIntosh, at 2 p.m.

ÝÝÝVisitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.

ÝÝÝLowell William Hoffard was born December 17, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Leonard Troy and Ruby A. (Casselman) Burnett. He was adopted on July 28, 1955, by Harold and Norma (Feken) Hoffard. He was baptized August 9, 1948, at Our Saviorís Lutheran Church in McIntosh, and was confirmed there as well. He grew up and attended McIntosh Elementary School and graduated from McIntosh High School in 1966.

ÝÝÝLowell served his country by serving in the United States Air Force from August 29, 1966 until his honorable discharge, October 8, 1970. He spent 3 years in Germany.

ÝÝÝOn October 19, 1968, Lowell was united in marriage to Janet Broske at Calvary Lutheran Church in Winger.  He was employed at Hoffardís Garage, Combined Insurance, Puetz Cabinets, McIntosh Motors and Best Western, Thief River Falls.

ÝÝÝHe was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, Archery Club, VFW and Cub Master for Pack 59. He enjoyed glass etching, golfing, wood burning, fishing, hunting and watching the Green Bay Packers.

ÝÝÝSurvivors include his wife, Janet of Thief River Falls; children, Timothy (Cassandra) of Savage, Tony (Jennifer) of Thief River Falls, Daniel (Laura) of Ramsey, Jason (fiancÈ, Veronica) of Randolph and Melissa (special friend, Clarence Davis) Hoffard of Park Rapids; five grandchildren; sister, Linda (David) Ward of Erskine; brothers, Merle Burnett of Blytheville, Ariz. and Mark Burnett of Decatur, Ala., and many nieces and nephews.

ÝÝÝHe was preceded in death by his parents, Ruby and Leonard Burnett; grandparents, Regina and Harold Casselman; adoptive parents, Norma and Harold Hoffard; brother, Gary Burnett and an infant brother and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.ÝÝÝA00003B2004AG25