Funeral Mass for Veryl D. Hoftiezer, age 68, of Watertown, SD, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown.  The celebrant will be Fr. Michael Wensing.  Music will be provided by Danielle Holmquist-Holida as organist with the I.C. Church Choir.  Vocalists will be Brandi and Hailey German and Marie Coon.  Lectors will be Dick and Karyl Boettcher.  Veryl passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown.

     Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Watertown. Military graveside honors will be conducted by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion and the Frank H. Adams Post #750 of Veterans of Foreign Wars, both of Watertown, and the U.S. Navy Funeral Honors Team. Honorary pallbearers will be the Watertown Postal Employees.  Active pallbearers will be:  Brent Boettcher, Richard Boettcher, Brad Coyle, Josh Hoftiezer, Scott Hoftiezer, Scott Krentz, and Chris Rahlf.

     Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Scripture Wake service.  Visitation will continue on Wednesday prior to services at the church.

     Veryl was born on September 17, 1943, in Watertown, SD, to Herbert and Lucy (Beman) Hoftiezer.  He graduated from Henry High School, Henry, SD, and attended Huron Business College. 

     On October 24, 1964, Veryl was united in marriage with Sandra Coyle in Henry, SD.  He entered the U.S. Navy, serving one year in Vietnam.  Following an honorable discharge, Veryl worked at Sharp Chevrolet in the parts department.  Later, he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service where he worked for 34 years, retiring on March 3, 2005.  Veryl made many lifelong friends through his work and was very active in the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Union.

     He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the American Legion, and the V.F.W.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working in his yard.  Veryl would lend a helping hand to anyone with a project.  One of his greatest joys was watching his children’s and grandchildren’s activities.

     Veryl is survived by his wife, Sandra, one son, Richard, and one daughter, Jacalynn (Nathan) Lake, all of Watertown; three grandchildren: Jackson Hoftiezer, Elizabeth and Johnathan Lake; his mother, Lucy Hoftiezer, of Watertown; two brothers: Vyron (Barb) Hoftiezer of Baudette, MN, and Virgil (Jan) Hoftiezer of Valparaiso, IN; and his mother-in-law, Doris Coyle, of Watertown. 

     He was preceded in death by his father.

      Memorials may be directed to the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center.