Harold R Hoffsommer

Harold Ray Hoffsommer, 90, most recently of Baldwin City, Kansas passed away July 10, 2019. Harold was born March 15, 1929 to Raymond Hoffsommer and Irene Slavins and was brought home to the family dairy farm just west of Stull, Kansas. As the favored grandson the family called him Sonny as named by his beloved grandfather Robert Burns Slavins. He attended the one-room Deer Creek School until moving up to Berryton High School, Berryton, Kansas, Class of 1948. He must have been the Big Man on Campus because he became Senior Class President, Homecoming King and was an athlete. Who could resist his curly hair, green eyes, and dimples? He went on to attend the College of Emporia (C of E not Emporia State). He was the catcher for the baseball team and majored in smoking cigarettes; at least that is what his parent's thought so he came home to milk cows after one year. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Anna Louise and Judith. His sister Helen lives in Tucson, Arizona and his brother Donnie lives in Topeka KS. The siblings continue the endearing habit of using Brother and Sis as names for each other. When the Korean War began, he volunteered for the United States Air Force. Before Basic Training he had a blind date with Billie Zoe Updike. On leave after Basic they married. Letters must be more effective than text messages. Harold was stationed in Japan and Billie remained in Kansas City, spending all of his money. When he came back state side they moved to a base in San Bernardino, California. They missed seasons and were tired of palm trees so after his service they returned to Kansas. Harold and Billie bought a farm near Richland, Kansas and started a family. They were busy and soon had five children: Nancy Jane (now Akin) of Topeka, KS, Patty Jean of La Crosse, WI, Hal Robert of Silver Lake KS, Sally Jo (now Hoffsommer-Brecheisen) of Baldwin City, KS, and Kay Allyn of Stillwell, KS. When Harold's parents retired from farming, the family moved to the Stull KS farm in 1969. He was the third generation of Hoffsommer men to work that farm. Unfortunately Billie hated it there and in 1978 they moved to the Vinland area outside of Baldwin City. Harold and Billie divorced about 1982. She preceded him in death in 1999. Harold began working at the Farmland Fertilizer Plant as soon as it was built, that was 1962 or 63. He retired in 1991. Harold gave them almost 30 years of labor and gossip. He was telling stories about his many friends from those years until the end. They will all agree that Harold liked to talk. He kept up with them through hour long conversations by phone. Each of his children have fond memories of their father even though he had to split his attention five ways. Being the youngest it was hard for Kay to compete sometimes. Harold would secretly hide a special stash of candy just for her under his hat. Harold was always an athlete and so was Nancy. She remembers his support and attendance at her events, he learned how to understand tennis, pretty good for a farm boy. Patty remembers the time he spent assisting his children with 4-H. He took them to their meetings and helped with projects. Harold always took the week of the fair off from work as the family vacation. He continued to serve as Beef Superintendent at the Douglas County Fair after his children were grown. Harold would tell you Sally was stubborn and they liked to argue politics as she got older, but he made her happy when he did not vote for Donald Trump. Hal enjoyed the many years trapping with Harold. The last few years at Farmland Harold took the whole month of November as vacation and spent it on his four wheeler running traps. Some of you might have seen a picture of Harold with his devoted cocker spaniel Honey sitting on the back of the ATV. Harold was a member of the Kansas Fur Harvesters Association and served as their treasurer for several years. In that office he had the privilege to attend the Miss Kansas (Miss America) pageant several years to award the lovely winner a fur coat. Later he did the same for Miss Rodeo Kansas. He was happy when his dear friend Joe took him to the Fur Harvester's meeting last year. After his divorce Harold moved to the old house at the Schaake Pumpkin Patch, Lawrence, KS. He enjoyed watching pumpkin season. He also got the chance to be a farmer again, sometimes being the Schaake hired hand. He enjoyed using their "high-dollar advanced" equipment. Although Harold claimed Larry got to ride the better tractor. Harold has treasured the phone calls Janet has had with him. While in Lawrence Harold became active in the Lawrence American Legion Dorsey-Liberty Post 14. He spent quite a bit of time at the Legion restaurant. He told his kids he was in management but they thought it was just another way to gossip. Harold also had the chance to reconnect with a high school friend and second significant other, Dorothy Bame Mohler of Overbrook KS. She told his kids that in high school she would do Harold's typing work while he climbed out the window. At the end of class he would return and hand in the work Dorothy had completed. It sounds like the teacher was happy not to have Harold distracting the girls in class. Dorothy also preceded Harold in death. Soon after that Harold moved to Silver Lake to labor in Hal and his wife Lona's garden and have Nancy run errands for him. In 2017 Harold moved back to Baldwin City so Sally could boss him around. Harold's children were not as fruitful as he was. He has Eight grandchildren: Todd Akin and his wife Carrie of Hoyt KS, Chad Akin of Topeka KS, Sommer Brecheisen of Baldwin City KS, Dana Zurek and her husband Alex of Milwaukee WI, Jesse Brecheisen of Baldwin City KS, Zoey Sharp of La Cygne KS, Sadie Christen, La Crosse, WI, and Molly Sharp of Kansas City MO. He has three great-grandchildren: Gavin Akin of Hoyt KS and Cru and Cayn Akin of Shawnee KS. Harold was able to live independently until his death due to good genes (remember how he smoked), the help of his children, and the good people at Orchard Lane Apartments and Douglas County Visiting Nurses. He needed to thank Robin and Lisa for listening to his stories every morning. He must have frustrated Nurse Pat because he would not follow pill instructions but she still laughed at his stories. He requested a special shout out to his health aide Mandy. This woman took excellent care and went above and beyond for him. He must have wanted to impress her because he showed her is Air Force uniform. Instead of flowers Harold wanted memorial donations to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses. These donations can be made in care of the funeral home. Harold will not be at the funeral home in body. His last wish was to be cremated and have his ashes spread on a deer trail. Hal has agreed to help him. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Harold Ray Hoffsommer please visit our Sympathy Store. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Harold R Hoffsommer please visit our Sympathy Store.

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