Peter Joffer

Peter Joffer of Nampa passed away at the age of 97 on Sunday, June 17th, 2018 in a Boise hospital. Peter was born in February 1921 in the town of Parker, SD to George and Marie Joffer, and he was the third of thirteen children. He was preceded by in death by his loving wife of 72 years, Lillian Joffer, née Beazley, four brothers and three sisters, and his son-in-law Scott Wilkinson. He is survived by four sisters; a brother; three children, Diana Ransdell and her husband John, Raymond Joffer and his wife Brenda, and Faith Joffer-Wilkinson; ten grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Peter joined the US Army in 1942, where he was trained as a radio operator. He met his wife Lillian on a street car in Los Angeles, he was on pass from training at Camp Cooke, she was heading to Biola University. They kept contact with each other through letters while Peter was in Europe during World War II. Peter was deployed with the 128th armored field artillery batallion, during which time he received a service stripe, three overseas service bars, an American theater ribbon, a European-African-Middle eastern theater ribbon, a silver battle star, a good conduct medal, and a meritorious unit award. During his time in the army, his batallion was in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, the Rhineland, and Central Europe, endured the battle of the bulge, took control of a German supply train, captured a German flag factory, and liberated Buchenwald concentration camp.

Peter was honorably discharged from the military in November, 1945, at which time he promptly resumed his courtship of Lillian until they eloped (upon recommendation of their pastor) December 31st, 1945 in Yuma, AZ. They then moved to Los Angeles and started their family. Peter worked at Adohr, a creamery in California, for 36 years. He was very active in his church, acting as a church elder and deacon, and treasured his time praying and studying his Bible. Peter and Lillian moved to Temecula, CA after they retired, where Peter grew his garden, which was the envy of squirrels for miles. As time went on, his family grew and spread out, but his children and grandchildren would use their vacations to spend time with him, often resulting in the children sleeping all around the house, and the laughter resuming each morning.

In 2005, Peter and Lillian moved from Temecula to Nampa, joining two of his children, Raymond and Faith, and their families. His other daughter, Diana, and most of her family moved from a town near Temecula to Nampa shortly thereafter. While in Nampa, Peter's family continued to grow, and he was able to witness several of his grandchildren get married and begin families of their own.

Lillian passed away in October 2017, at the age of 94, shortly before their 72nd wedding anniversary. Peter went to join the Lord and his beloved wife in the early hours of fathers day morning. There will be a viewing and visitation at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave. So. on Wednesday, June 27th from 5 to 7 PM. A Funeral Service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at 9 AM on Thursday, June 28th at the funeral home. Burial with military honors by personnel from the Idaho Army National Guard will follow at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, Boise. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

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