Verlyn Hofer to celebrate 100th birthday, May 31Recognized for eight decades of American Legion service
- Lennox Independent Staff
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
A century of life, legacy, and ink on paper: that’s the story of Verlyn Hofer, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Saturday, May 31, with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. at Good Samaritan–Luther Manor, 1500 West 38th Street in Sioux Falls. The celebration will be hosted by his family, honoring a man whose life has been dedicated to service—both to his country and his community.
Born in 1924, Verlyn Hofer has lived through profound changes in the world, many of which he chronicled through the lens of community journalism. A lifelong newspaperman, Hofer is best known as the former publisher and editor of the Lennox Independent, a role he assumed from his father, Edward Hofer. His remarkable career earned him induction into the South Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame in 1994 and the presidency of the South Dakota Newspaper Association in 1987-88.
Verlyn’s journey into journalism began early—at the age of 12—when he started helping in the family’s print shop. Wednesdays, the day the paper went to print, were sacred. Even in high school, Verlyn would take Wednesdays off to work at the paper.
But before he fully stepped into his father’s shoes, Verlyn answered a different kind of call. After graduating high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in France with the 62nd Armored Infantry Battalion of the 14th Armored Division from 1944 to 1945. While on a troop ship bound for France, he helped publish the ship’s newsletter, planting the seeds of his lifelong commitment to the written word. For his valor, Verlyn was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. In 2023, he was also honored by the French government with the prestigious French Legion of Honor medal.
Following the war, Verlyn returned to South Dakota and studied journalism at South Dakota State University and Augustana College. In 1948, he joined his father full time at the Independent, becoming co-publisher and eventually sole owner in 1983. His wife, Mary, and their children—Doug, Bill, Dave, and Becky—were all involved in the operation, keeping the family tradition alive.
In addition to his newspaper work, Verlyn operated Show Print, the family’s printing business, which specialized in colorful posters for circuses, carnivals, and fireworks displays—vivid reminders of his love for the printed page in all its forms.
Though he sold the Independent in 1992, Verlyn never stepped fully away from the paper. He continued to write a column for many years, offering his insights, wit, and wisdom to the readers who had grown up with his byline.
In a fitting tribute to his lifelong commitment to service, Verlyn was recently honored with an 80-year Legion Membership Certificate by Lennox Legion Post 174 Commander Rick Haertel. The recognition underscores not only Verlyn’s longevity but also his enduring dedication to his community and fellow veterans.
As he approaches his 100th birthday, Verlyn Hofer stands as a remarkable example of resilience, commitment, and the power of local journalism. He is a storyteller, a veteran, a family man, and a pillar of the Lennox community.
Those who know him best are looking forward to celebrating this milestone—a man whose life’s work helped document the very fabric of small-town South Dakota, one weekly deadline at a time.