Obituary
Carol Catharine (nee: Cloeter) Hoefer was called Home by her Lord at 6:43 am on Dec. 26, 2024, at her Portland, OR home with husband Herbert Hoefer at her side. Preceded in death by parents Rev. Arnold and Lola Cloeter, siblings Herbert, Rhoda, Richard, Margaret, and David. Survived by husband Herbert, sister Pauline, daughters Kristina, Pamela, and Susheela, grandchildren Elliot, Sofia, Loukas, Hannah and Quinn, and sons-in-law Steven, Joakim, and Michael.
Carol was born on June 1st, 1941, in Fergus Falls, MN. She grew up in northern Minnesota as a pastor’s daughter, graduated from Concordia Teachers College, Nebraska, and taught in Iowa and California. She met Herb Hoefer at Concordia College, St. Paul, MN, and they were married on August 13, 1966. Carol and Herb departed in 1968 to serve as missionaries to India. While raising their daughters, Carol served in several capacities as a school headmistress, fiscal officer, and ESL teacher. After 15 years in India, the family moved to a parish ministry in River Falls, WI, where she trained and worked as a city librarian. After 13 years, Carol and Herbert moved to Portland, OR, where Herb taught at Concordia University, and Carol worked as a church secretary.
After dealing with the threat of breast cancer and then the onslaught of ovarian cancer, she had genetic testing and learned of her mutations, eventually succumbing to the ovarian cancer. She became a strong advocate and speaker for identifying the early signs of ovarian cancer and for early genetic testing.
In all of her different roles in life, she was highly respected and loved. She was a gifted musician, singing in choirs and playing the piano and organ. She was also known as an excellent cook, especially with Indian cuisine. People felt a deep affection for her in her relationships because of her openheartedness, kindness, and generosity. As one condolence put it, people experienced “the truly genuine goodness emanating from Carol.”
Carol was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, reveling in the grace of God through her Lord Jesus Christ, eager at the end to join the saints in glory.
Carol’s memorial service will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church (1440 SE 182nd Ave. Portland, OR, 97323) on January 25, 2025, at 1:00. She always said, “If you want to give me flowers, please do it while I am alive.” Any memorial gifts can be given to Ascension or to the Survivors Teaching Students program of the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.