“Mid” Hufnagle’s 101-year journey on this earth ended on August 15, 2018, just 4 days after the annual family reunion.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edith Berner Grote and William Grote; her husband John; and her son Jack. She is survived by son Jon Hufnagle of Hollywood SC, daughter Jean Gobel of Dublin OH, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.
As a life-long resident of Darke County, mostly in Greenville, she was a 1934 graduate of Greenville High School. Always actively involved in her children’s lives, she was South School’s PTO president more than once. Many will remember her as the “nice cafeteria lady” at South and North schools until she retired in 1980 after 26 years of employment.
In her younger years, she and John led active lives. They danced, rolling up the carpet in her country home for square-dancing or piling into the car with other couples to go to the Chrystal Ball, the Carousel, or the Blue Mill (now the Triangle). They traveled and especially loved their trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas and Niagra Falls and to their family’s cottage in Minnesota. Her excursions continued for many years even after John’s passing in 1987.
As one of the first women bowlers in Greenville, starting in 1936, she along with John competed in both singles and doubles. The shelves full of trophies can attest to their skills. When our families gathered for Thanksgiving, we often went bowling even when she was in her 90’s.
Fair-goers will remember her as “the sno-cone lady.” Starting in 1958, she loved her stand’s prime location across from the coliseum, where she could see and chat with all the people she knew. She thrived on the hard work and long hours, often outworking her teenage helpers. But her career was cut short in 2000 when she suffered a broken arm in a fall on one of her routine walks uptown for coffee.
Never one to just sit and relax, she loved to needlepoint and knit, often creating items of her own design. In later years, she took up crossword puzzles, “to keep her mind sharp.” But anyone who met her at the card table found there should have been little concern about that!
Card-playing was a life-long passion. She and John were part of card clubs that met for several decades. When they weren’t playing euchre, the women played bridge; the men, poker. She was a fearless bidder and would urge “the table” to play fast; John often said, “Mid, remember, we aren’t playing for the courthouse!” The card- playing continued past the age of 100 until her failing eyesight forced her to stop.
The family gives very special thanks to the Wednesday afternoon bridge ladies and the euchre players at the Moose for their kindness and support. We are so thankful to Shirley Hughes for the Sunday morning Elks breakfasts, for the devoted friends who kept her going places after she could no longer drive, and for Wendy Smith, Jill McAlpin, and Catholic Services who made her desire to stay in her home possible.
She was the rock of the family, raising her children to be independent and self-sufficient, just as she was. She often said, “ Go live your lives; don’t worry about me.” In the end, she was at peace, fully embracing this next phase of her journey. Family and friends will celebrate her life on Friday, August 31, at 2:00 pm at the Zechar Bailey funeral home. A time of fellowship will be held prior to the service from 1:00 – 2:00.
In lieu of flowers and to honor her generous spirit, please send donations to the Grace Resurrection Community Center, 433 E. Water St, Greenville, OH 45331.
Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
