The Superior Express -

Dennis Lee Hofts,87, died April 26, in The Woodlands, Texas. He was born to George and Christina (Bunges) Hofts of Ruskin, on May 8, 1932, and was baptized on June 5, 1932, by Pastor G. A. Spring at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Dennis was confirmed in the faith on June 9, 1946, by Pastor Ralph House at St. Paul's Lutheran Church near Deshler.

Dennis graduated from the Rural District 29 primary school in Nuckolls County and from Deshler High School in 1949. Dennis was a classroom teacher at the Prairie Home School from 1949 to 1951. On Feb. 15, 1953, Dennis married Verona Heider at the Trinity Lutheran Church (Friedensau) near Hebron. The Rev. Herbert R. Miller was the officiant.

Following his marriage to Verona, Dennis attended Concordia Teacher's College in Seward, and graduated on Aug. 12, 1955. Dennis was a classroom teacher at the Topeka Lutheran school in Kansas from 1954 until 1962. He then changed his career focus and held positions of representative, education director, executive vice president and finally president of the Kansas Credit Union League for the next 26 years. In 1989, Dennis moved to Arvada, Colo., where he became vice president of research and development for the Colorado Credit Union League. He retired from that position in 1997.

Dennis had an active retirement. He was a member of the Lutheran Laymen's League Rocky Mountain District from 1996 to 2002. Dennis was instrumental in developing a Creation Evangelism program for Peace Lutheran church in Arvada. He served 14 years on the board of the National Alliance on Mental Illness for Jefferson County, Colo. During that time, he was board treasurer for two years and president for another four. From 2006 to 2012 he also held a number of positions on the board for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In 2010, Dennis was inducted into the Kansas Cooperative Hall of Fame.

Dennis is survived by his son, Kevin Hofts of Denver; and his daughter, Julie Pauls (husband, Ralph Pauls) of The Woodlands, Texas. Dennis had two grandchildren, Lauren Ahrens (husband, Andy Ahrens) of San Antonio, Texas and Mark Pauls (wife, Brittany Pauls) of Tomball, Texas. He had five great-grandchildren: Hadley, Caroline and Jackson Ahrens and Ellison and Wesley Pauls.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Verona; his brother, Harold Hofts; sister-in-law, Lorraine Hofts; and sister, Bernice Fintel. Surviving nephews include, Ron Hofts and Steve Fintel.

Dennis's favorite hymns were "I Am Jesus Little Lamb," and "Abide with Me" and "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee." His cherished Bible verses were Genesis 1:1 and Revelation 22:20-21.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorial gifts be directed to Living Word Lutheran Church, 9500 N. Panther Creek, The Woodlands, Texas 77381. Internment will be at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church cemetery outside of Deshler.