Victor “Herb” Baumhoefner

June 1, 1935 – July 7, 2025

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Victor Herbert Baumhoefner, 90, of Mesa, Arizona, died July 7, 2025, in a Mesa care home after a short battle with colon and liver cancer.

“Herb” was born June 1, 1935, to Victor and Gladys (Kanning) Baumhoefner in Fairmont, Minnesota. They soon moved to a farm near Alta, Iowa. When Herb was 12, they moved back to southern Minnesota to a rented farm in Rutland Township near Truman, where he briefly attended a one-room schoolhouse. He graduated from Truman High School in 1953. It was that same year that his father bought a farm in Galena Township and they began farming together. After a couple of years, Herb decided to go to Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana, to study business. It was there that he met his future wife, Marlene Lescelius, of Saginaw, Michigan. They married June 28, 1958, at Immanual Lutheran Church (Galena), Ormsby, Minn.
Herb and Marlene welcomed a son, John, who was diagnosed with leukemia as a toddler. They made many trips to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, for experimental treatments that allowed John to live for 12 years. A doctor suggested they have another child since leukemia was terminal, and a daughter, Linda, was born three years later.
Herb continued to farm with his father, raising hogs and cattle, for 40 years, but he never missed an opportunity to travel, whether it was in their RV or on an organized tour. Herb visited all 50 states and more than 20 countries on 5 continents.

In 1984 and 1988, Herb was elected as Martin County Commissioner. His pragmatic approach to local issues was well respected.
Herb loved his Lord and his church, which was evident through his servanthood. He was very active in The Lutheran Layman’s League, serving in leadership roles, both locally and nationally, while making life-long friends across the country. After he retired, he and Marlene lived in their 5th wheel trailer during the summers while Herb helped build churches through Laborers for Christ.

After 40 years of farming, Herb sold the farm, and they moved to a warmer climate in Arizona. They enjoyed their new community and church, even singing in the choir. Marlene was diagnosed with brain cancer and died in 2005, but life circumstances didn’t stop Herb from living. He met Judy Leech who sparked in him a new sense of adventure, spending many happy years together. Herb had numerous health setbacks but with great care by Mayo Clinic-Phoenix and a kidney donation by his son-in-law, Herb was able to be active for many more years. Mayo’s excellent medical team was mostly responsible for his nine decades of life.

In his later life, Herb began volunteering once a week as a Navigator at Sky Harbor International Airport, providing assistance to airport travelers. He eventually had to step down due to his health but clocked over 1,500 hours.
Herb treasured his family and would make sure to share his wisdom and stories with the next generations. Being an only child with an only child, he enjoyed telling people that his entire extended family could all ride in one vehicle. Family gatherings around the meal table often started with singing the common Doxology.

Herb is survived by one daughter, Linda (Chris) Meyer of Topeka, Kansas; three grandchildren, Katie (Jacob) Hunerdosse of Austin, Minnesota, Jacob (Shannon) Meyer of Lakewood, Colorado, and Erik Meyer of Topeka, Kansas; and one great-grandchild, Jonas Hunerdosse.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and son.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 807 N Stapley Dr., Mesa. The inurnment will be held at a later date at Fairview Memorial Cemetery, Fairmont, Minn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church, 807 N Stapley Dr., Mesa, AZ 85203; or Stoneridge Hospice, 20860 N Tatum Blvd #145, Phoenix, AZ 85050.