Zelma Hofrock, 83, passed from this life to be with her heavenly father on February 22, 2022. A service will be held February 25th at Fort Laramie Community Center in Fort Laramie Wyoming at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Marty Rostad officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery Tryon, Nebraska on February 26th at 2:00 p.m. central time.
Zelma was born October 10, 1938 in Tryon Nebraska to G George and Nellie (Lockhart) Swayze. At age 3 her family moved to North Platte Nebraska where she attended Hall and Hansen Rural Schools. At age 12 the family moved to Buhl, Idaho where Zelma graduated from Junior High. The family returned to North Platte where Zelma graduated from High School in 1956. She then attended summer school at Chadron State College and began teaching rural schools in the fall and continued to teach in rural schools until her marriage.
Zelma married Carl Hofrock January 10, 1959 in Potter Nebraska. To this union six children were born though they raised seven children. In the following years they owned and operated Hofrock Brothers in Gering Nebraska. Zelma joined Burlington Northern Railroad in 1978. She worked several different jobs for BNSF while living in Wheatland Wyoming, Azel Texas, and Topeka Kansas. Following her retirement Zelma and Carl returned to Wyoming where they purchased and operated Chuck Wagon RV Park in Fort Laramie Wyoming.
Zelma belonged to Gering Volunteer Fireman’s Auxiliary serving as Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President and President. She was also active in Eastern Star holding several offices including Worthy Matron. Zelma belonged to Gering Baptist Church served as Secretary-treasurer and Deaconess. Zelma was a member of several churches over the years as life took her to different locations.
Zelma and Carl traveled often even when they had a young family. They visited 38 of the lower 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii and Brazil. The family went to Mexico and Canada. Zelma and family request in lieu of flowers Memorials to Fort Laramie Fire and Rescue or Fort Laramie Country Church.
Zelma is survived by Charlotte Hood, Lingle Wyoming; Sandra Braudaway, Thornton Colorado; Cynthia Burbank, Omaha Nebraska; Charles Hofrock, Douglas Wyoming and Clayton (Amy) Hofrock, Beaverton Oregon; and a grandson Zelma and Carl raised, Curtis Hofrock Wheatland Wyoming; Son-in-law Eugene Cummins, Beloit, Wisconsin; one sister, one sister-in-law, five grandsons, three granddaughters, four great grandsons and two great granddaughters. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. Zelma was preceded in death by her husband Carl, her parents, a sister, two brothers, her daughter, Cheryl Cummins, and son-in-law, Burdette Hood and several aunts and uncles.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ft. Laramie Country Church or Ft. Laramie Fire and Rescue Department.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.geringchapel.com for the Hofrock family. Gering Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
