Donald "Don" Hoeft

Donald “Don” Hoeft

Donald Robert Hoeft passed away in his Heavenly home on October 2, 2024. Don was born slightly before his fraternal twin brother Ronald on August 19, 1943, to Robert and Margaret Hoeft in Minneapolis, MN. In 1959, he moved to Anoka, MN, his mother’s childhood home, where his mother started teaching at the local high school. After graduating from Anoka High School in 1961, Don attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout where he was a member of the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. He was a Boy Scout and served as a Boy Scout leader in college. After college, Don began his career in retail management with Woolworths. His energetic strong work ethic earned him the nickname “Road Runner”. Later he worked for Ben Franklin as a district manager. Don made a dream become a reality and owned a Ben Franklin general store in Green Bay, WI from 1985 - 1992. He finished his career as a retail manager with Big Lots where he was the store manager of the Manitowoc and Oshkosh, WI stores. After retiring, he worked part-time for Michaels craft store in Appleton, WI where he made a number of good friends. He also took a leadership role in his son Rob’s soccer team serving as assistant coach and head coach. He lived in Sherwood, WI for 27 years on a beautiful pond with a view of High Cliff and prior to that lived in Appleton and Manitowoc, WI for 13 years. Don moved to Milwaukee this summer to enjoy life near dear family and friends.

Don was an amazing, caring man who had a deepening and expanding love for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit throughout his life. He was a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Oshkosh, WI with his brother-in-law Keith. He loved his family and his found family with that same deepening and expanding love. Don cherished life and had a great sense of humor. Don was very friendly, social, and talkative and would talk to strangers as if they were lifelong friends. Service was an important part of his life and he often gave a helping hand to others. Don enjoyed being outdoors and Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior held a special place in his heart. Other special places were Alaska, the Rocky Mountains, and the mountains in western North Carolina. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved soulmate and wife Bonny of 16 years; his fraternal twin brother Ronald Hoeft; brother-in-law Robert Bernstrom; sisters-in-law Mary Otto and Sue Cory and his parents. He is survived by his loving children Marci Hoeft, Robert Hoeft, and Theresa Hoeft (husband Jesse); his granddaughter Margaret; his sister Janet Bernstrom; sisters-in-law Karen Hoeft and Kim Cory; brothers-in-law Keith and Aaron Cory; and many dear nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed, made so many people smile, and will be so long remembered.

Don’s children are especially grateful to Marilyn Van Lanen for her heartfelt care for Don and the joy she brought to the last chapter of his life.

The memorial service for Don Hoeft will be held at 1 pm, Sunday, November 10 at Emmanuel UCC Church, 1306 Michigan St, Oshkosh, WI 54902. Remembrances may be made in Don’s name to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, the Humane Society, or a charity of your choice.