Paul Theodore Hoefs was born November 30, 1926 in WoodLake, NE to Paul A. and Margaret (Roberts) Hoefs. He attended country school through 8 ^th grade and graduated from Campion Jesuit High School in Wisconsin.  Paul met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Anderson, in Ainsworth, NE. They were married on June 26, 1948.  This union was blessed with 9 children.  Paul and Pat ranched in the Wood Lake area where they raised their family.

Paul was a past President of the Nebraska Stock Growers Association, a member of the Sandhills Cattlemen's Association, member of the hospital board, school board, and board member of the Federal Land Bank.  Paul always had a ready smile for all he met and he was always very willing to lend a helping hand to any neighbor who needed it.  He loved working cattle on horseback (not four wheelers J).  Ranching was one of his biggest loves, but one of his longest loves was flying; it spanned nearly 7 decades and was as natural to him as breathing. His children and grandchildren as well as other children have fond memories of flying adventures with him.  Paul was very devoted to his Catholic faith, his wife and his family.

Paul passed away July 15, 2020 at Rock County Hospital in Bassett, NE at age 93.  He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Margaret, his stepfather Bud Scheer, his wife Patricia, brothers Donald Hoefs and baby Theodore Hoefs, sisters Monica (Hoefs) Helgert, Pauline Hoefs and Veronica (Hoefs) Lawse, daughter-in-law Mary Lee (Schultz) Hoefs, and son-in-law John Blaser.  He is survived by children, Paul (Kayde) Hoefs Jr. of South Dakota, Sherry (Ken) Cameron, Mary Kay Mooney and Jan (David) Upchurch all of Arizona, Bonnie (Randy) Rought of Colorado, John (Dee) Hoefs of Wood Lake, Patrice Hoefs of Missouri, Jim (Jane) Hoefs of Colorado and Mark (Julie) Hoefs of Valentine.  Also surviving are 19 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held July 23, 2020 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine.  Burial followed at Mount Hope Cemetery in Wood Lake

Public graveside service for Paul Hoefs age 93 of Wood Lake, NE will be held on Thursday, July 23 ^rd at noon at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Wood Lake.  Public rosary will be recited on Wednesday, July 22 ^nd at 7 PM at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine.  Visitation will be on Wednesday at 2 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines. Mr. Hoefs passed away on July 15 ^th at the Rock County Hospital in Bassett, NE.