John Nell Laverne Hoefs

John Nell Hoefs, of Redlands, California, was born on October 12, 1919 in Waco, Texas and died Thursday, August 19, 2010, in Redlands following a stroke. She was 90 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Carl Hoefs. She is survived by a brother, Neal Grimland of San Antonio, Texas and four children: Kristin Thibedeau of Los Angeles, CA, John Carl Hoefs of Irvine, CA, Beth Ann Threatt of Redlands, CA and Mary Margaret Bawden of Redlands, CA. She delighted in her family and was very proud of her twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, taking pride in their accomplishments. She attended all family events, including weddings and graduations, and initiated an all family week-long beach vacation each summer for the last 35 years. John Nell was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Yucaipa, CA for 45 years, along with the Breakfast Club of Redlands where she served as president in 2005. She was also involved in PEO, was a Docent at Kimberly Crest and was a member of the Redlands Country Club. John Nell felt a particular urge to understand family dynamics-reading extensively about family issues, and relied on the Bible for spiritual guidance. She enjoyed bridge, the Redlands Bowl and traveled extensively with her husband, children and friends. She maintained a positive outlook through the Great Depression, the early death of her father and two world wars. John Nell experienced some unusual events, such as the explosion of atomic bombs in Nevada and 6 moves between 1950 and 1962, as the result of her husband Carl s work for the Atomic Energy Commission. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at Faith Lutheran Church in Yucaipa, CA (http://faithlutheranyucaipa.org/) followed by grave side service at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Redlands. Family and friends are invited to a reception following the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Lutheran Church in Yucaipa, the Breakfast Club of Redlands (P.O. Box 342, Redlands, CA 92373), or Habitat for Humanity.