Joseph G. “Joe” Koffler, 99, Dickinson, died Sunday, March 10, 2013 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Joe’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 14, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Fr. Keith Streifel as the celebrant. Interment will take place later at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary & vigil at 6 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Deacon Bob Zent presiding.
Joseph G. Koffler was born January 12, 1914 in Stark County of North Dakota, the son of George and Elizabeth (Hatzenbuehler) Koffler. He attended country school in Stark County.
On May 17, 1938, Joe married Margaret Kessel. They have lived in Dickinson for 74 years, where they raised their five children. Joe’s passion was cars, from repairing to restoring, and belonging to the Dakota Western Auto Club. In the early 1940’s Joe started Koffler Garage. In 1949, he and Margaret opened the 22 Club in south Dickinson, and from there in 1979, Frontier Liquor was established.
Joe is survived by his wife, Margaret; their five children, Richard (Judy) Koffler, Dickinson, Shirley Godes, Dickinson, Michael (Jeannie) Koffler, Bismarck, Darryl (Karen) Koffler, Bismarck, and Ron (Cindy) Koffler, Dickinson; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; four siblings, Jennie Decker, Dickinson, Kathryn Rech, Salem, Ore., George Koffler, New England, and Lena Sticka, Dickinson; and sister-in-law, Irene Koffler, Chicago, Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Elizabeth; brothers, John, Christ, and Pete; sisters, Margaret Frederick, Ruth Massad and Betty Zenker; son-in-law, Clem Godes; six brothers-in-law; and three sisters-in-law.
Memorials are preferred to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson.
