Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Salem MB Church of rural Bridgewater.

FREEMAN — Alma Wollman, 98, of Freeman passed away Monday, August 19, 2024, at Oakview Terrace in Freeman.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Salem MB Church of rural Bridgewater.

Visitation with the family present is from 5 to 7 p.m., tonight, Friday, Aug. 23, at the Walter Funeral Home in Freeman with a prayer service and time of sharing at 6:30 pm.

Alma A. Hofer Wollman was born November 23, 1925, to Andrew A. and Anna J. (Stahl) Hofer at the farm home near Carpenter. Alma had an older brother, Tobey and a younger brother, Leonard. At the age of 13 Alma became the older sister of Rose Jean. She was the pride and joy of the family until illness took her life at 1 1/2 years of age.

The family did not have conveniences like electricity, but Alma recalls how some of the difficulties brought the family together. “In our home, love and kindness was practiced.” A gas lantern with a mantle hung from the ceiling and they gathered around the table to play games. We think this is where her love of games started and she was rightfully known as the “game lady.”

Alma attended country school in Beadle County and graduated from Yale High School in 1943. There was a shortage of teachers during WWII, which allowed her to take summer classes at Huron College. She then taught for one year in the same country school she attended. She attended Freeman Junior College for one year, receiving her teaching certificate.

Alma taught country school four more years.

The Hofer family regularly attended Bethel Church. German spoken in churches was coming to an end and English was now spoken in Sunday school and Bible school. This allowed the younger generation to better understand the Gospel. During a summer revival meeting Alma understood her need to accept Christ as her Savior. She claimed John 3:16 as her salvation verse and upon the confession of her faith was baptized that fall. She was asked to teach pre-school children at her church, which helped her experience the joy of teaching.

Alma met Reuben at a Sunday school convention in Beadle County. After a year of courtship, they were united in marriage on November 12,1948 at Bethel Church. They established their home 13 miles NW of Freeman and successfully farmed 42 years. They were blessed with three children: Belva, Cheri and Merle. Alma had her hands full with small children close together in age, but she enjoyed being a mother. Homemaking skills like cooking, baking, gardening, canning and sewing in addition to being active with farm work was a full-time job.

All the children completed county school and graduated from Freeman Academy. Over the years they were supported in many school and church activities. Salem MB was established as their home church and regularly attended. It was important to teach their children Christian values. They participated in Sunday school, Bible school and Byron Bible Camp. Alma loved teaching kids in the pre-school department at Salem. The family served as church custodians for many years.

Reuben and Alma retired to Freeman in 1991 and she readily made new friends. Alma became involved with Freeman Senior Citizens and loved playing games weekly. She also volunteered at the Et Cetera Shoppe for many years. She enjoyed Christian Women’s Club and hosted many Bible studies in their home.

Alma had the gift of hospitality! She could easily cook a meal ans share her time with friends and family. For more than 30 years she was well known for organizing the making of cheese pockets for Schmeckfest. Her hobbies included crocheting and embroidery.

After retirement Reuben and Alma enjoyed traveling in tour groups around the United States. Two of her favorites were a Christian cruise to Alaska and a fruit-drying trip to California sponsored by MCC. They often visited Belva in Seattle, but a standout trip was when the two youngest Hansen grandsons joined them on Amtrak. Alma had no problem entertaining them with games. They enjoyed being grandparents to Cheri and John Hansen’s four boys, then becoming great-grandparents to six more Hansen children and even now, a great-great-grandmother to three more children.
Reuben and Alma were able to celebrate their 40th, 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries. After 61 years of marriage Reuben passed away in 2009. Alma continued to live in her Freeman home for 11 more years with the help of her son Merle to manage her affairs. It was her decision to move to assisted living at the Salem Home in 2020 when the activities of daily living became too difficult. She was very content during her three-year stay at Salem Home and had many favorite staff.

Of course, she loved to play games on the computer because it “keeps the mind sharp.” Alma developed macular degeneration, which made vision increasingly difficult over the years. She used a video magnifier which enlarged the print on a monitor, allowing her to read a book weekly from the library and have her daily devotionals. She had basic computer skills which kept her in touch with the outside world. She was blessed listened to her favorite Christian songs on the computer. Alma was not a complainer and looked on the bright side of life even when her arthritic joints told her otherwise. One of her favorite songs was, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” In her declining years Alma spoke of looking forward to seeing Jesus in heaven, being grateful for what He had done for her, reuniting with so many she loved, while leaving us with the hope of seeing her again.

Grateful to have shared her life are daughter Belva and her late husband Mike Laughlin (Boise Idaho), daughter Cheri and John Hansen (Gregory), Merle and Cecile Wollman (Sioux Falls). Grandchildren: Chad and Jenny Hansen (Gregory), Matt and Shan Hansen (Chanute Kan.), Nate and Sarah Hansen (Vinton Iowa), Nick Hansen (St Paul Minn.). Great-grandchildren: Hannah and Aiden Schneider (Lincoln Neb.), Emily and Tevin Anderson (Gregory), Owen Hansen (Sioux Falls), Judd Hansen (Gregory), Abram and Barrett Miles (Vinton, Iowa). Great-great grandchildren: Ruger and Bear Anderson (Gregory), Roslyn Schneider (Lincoln, Neb.). Sisters-in-law: Karen Wollman (Mound, Minn.) and Lila Hofer (Huron). Hofer nephews: Rick (Austin, Minn.), Rodney and Kathy (Spearfish) along with a host of Wollman nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by hera husband Reuben; parents, Andrew and Anna Hofer; parents-in-law, Andrew and Barbara Wollman; brother, Tobey and wife Evie Hofer; brother, Leonard Hofer; sister, Rose Jean. Brother-in-law, Sam and wife Mary Wollman; brother-in-law, Simon Wollman; sister-in-law, Mary and husband Edgar Hofer; sister-in-law, Susie and husband Jim Evans; sister-in-law, Naomi and husband Ted Hofer; son-in-law Mike Laughlin.