Steven Ray Hoffmeyer of Grand Island, formerly of Deshler, passed away peacefully at his home in Grand Island, NE on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at the age of 70.

Steve was born on May 27, 1947 in Deshler, Nebraska to Ernest and Rose (Ray) Hoffmeyer.  He attended Deshler High School and graduated in the class of 1965.  During his summers in high school, Steve worked for Miller Land Leveling surveying land and operating heavy equipment.

Steve went on to receive his associates degree in drafting technology at Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska.  After graduating, Steve moved to Seattle, Washington where he was employed as a draftsman at The Boeing Company where he performed drawing revisions and electrical wiring checks on aircraft. Steve moved back to Deshler where he went to work for Reinke Manufacturing performing design and production on center pivots, fertilizer trailers, churches and banks.  After working for Reinke's, he managed the family business, Ray Mausoleum Company.

In January of 1970, Steve was united in marriage with Pam (Drews) Hoffmeyer in Hebron, Nebraska.  Together they had 5 children, Ross, Ryan, Preston, and (twins) Amanda and Drew.  In 1996, Steve moved to Grand Island where he worked for Hornady Manufacturing until 2012 when he retired.  Steve was a warm, thoughtful soul with a great sense of humor.  He enjoyed hunting, shooting, collecting guns, camping, boating and had an overall love for outdoor activities. Steve always looked forward to visiting with his kids, grandkids, family and friends.  He also appreciated and had a fine eye for motorcycles, hot rods, and classic cars, whether it was riding his motorcycle, going to car shows or simply talking with other enthusiasts.  Someone recently said, "Steve was a really great guy with a big heart.  Every time I was around him, he always had a funny remark or antic dote that made me laugh.  He genuinely cared for us and even more for his grandkids.  His funniest moments were always his answers and observations to questions or stories…more than a few caught me off guard."

Steve was member and council member of Peace Lutheran Church, life member of the NRA, life member of North American Hunting Club, member of the Beatrice Gun Club, member of the Grand Island Skeet Club, past President and member of the Spring Creek Gun Club, member of Quail Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, past vice-president and member of Ducks Unlimited, member of the Elks club and member of the Izaak Walton League.

Steve was extremely loving and proud of his five children, Ross and wife Kristen (grandson, Gabriel) of Norfolk, NE, Ryan and wife Theresa (grandchildren Kelton, Ella, Broderick) of Phoenix, AZ, Preston and wife Michaela (grandchildren Kaius, Berkeley, Zeplin) of Omaha, NE, daughter Amanda of Lincoln, NE, and Drew and wife Megan (grandsons Kingston and Beckham) of Lincoln, NE.  He is also survived by his sisters Cynthia and husband Lee Taylor of Hot Springs, SD, and Kimberly and husband Dave Pace of Council Bluffs, IA, Pamela (Drews) Hoffmeyer of Lincoln, NE as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.  He is preceded in death by his father Ernest and mother Rose.

Funeral services will be performed by Pastor Connie Raess on Tuesday, September 5th at 10:00 a.m. at the 4-H Building at the Thayer County Fairgrounds with the interment immediately following at the City Cemetery in Deshler, Nebraska. A luncheon will follow the interment at the 4-H Building at the Thayer County Fairgrounds.  Arrangements are being made through Kroll Funeral Home of Hebron with the assistance of Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home.