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Mary Hoffert (1883-1956) Mary Hoffert was born on a farm near Funk, Nebraska on 8 November 1883. She was the only daughter of Anton Hoffert, Jr. and Augusta Meisel. One of her jobs as a young girl was to pick up buffalo chips to burn in the kitchen stove. Indians still roamed the Nebraska prairies at that time. They would often stop at the Hoffert house to demand food. Gypsies also stopped by. Once they kidnapped a little neighbor girl. When Mary was a teenager, her parents moved to a farm south of Carroll, Iowa. There, at the age of sixteen, Mary was voted the most popular girl in Carroll County. She received a gold watch and fob chain in appreciation. She always loved to dance, especially square dances. She also enjoyed the music of polkas and waltzes. Two of her favorites were the "Blue Shirt Waltz" and "After the Ball Was Over." Her half-brother, John Schneider, often served as a caller at the local square dances. After her parents' return to Nebraska, Mary met a young man named Peter Reinart, who had traveled from Iowa to Nebraska to help with the oats harvest. They were married the following January 23, 1905, at Axtell, Nebraska. The priest was Father Cronin. Mary and Peter lived on a farm in Nebraska for ten years after their marriage. There was no irrigation at the time, and they had endure severe dust storms. Oftentimes they were forced to hang wet bedsheets over the windows just to be able to breathe. One storm brought with it three tornadoes. The tornadoes destroyed all the farm buildings except the house, which was pushed two inches off its foundation. Mary gave birth to three daughters while on the farm in Nebraska. She named them Gladys, Monica, and Bertille. The second-born, Monica, lived only a few days. She was buried in the cemetery at Axtell, Nebraska. A cactus was later planted over the grave. It has been mowed off every year for the past ninety years, but still clings to life today. In 1915 Mary and Peter moved back to Iowa to a farm south of Carroll, Iowa. There a fourth daughter named Mary was born. The family then moved to another farm 4 1/2 miles southeast of Halbur, Iowa, where their fifth and last daughter, Genevieve, was born. Seven years later the family moved into the town of Halbur. Here Mary and Peter spent the remainder of their lives. While Mary reared her four girls, Peter drove a gravel truck for awhile, worked as the school and church janitor for seven years, then as a carpenter until he retired. After his retirement, the two spent their time working in a large garden, canning fruits and vegetables, and passing out the surplus to family and friends. The garden was a delight. It was entered through a rose-covered arbor. There were vegetables and flowers of all kinds, including sweet-smelling peonies of red, white, and pink. Near the edge of the garden was a large raspberry patch, where the grandchildren picked and ate to their hearts' content. Nearby was a crabapple tree, from which Mary canned the most delicious spiced apples. Soon after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 1955, Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer. She struggled on for a few more months before passing away on 17 August 1956. Her husband Peter survived her for seven years until his death on 21 June 1965. Both were buried in St. Augustine.s Cemetery, Halbur, Iowa. peaker59@aol.com Related Genealogy Resources:
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