Irma "Ruth" Hofferber Klocke, 83, of New Bern, N.C., formerly of Lexington, died Sunday, March 1, 2009 at Britthaven of New Bern. The family honored Ruth's wishes her body be cremated.

Survivors include one daughter, Angela (Hugh) Smith of Chocowinity, N.C.; two brothers, Benton "Bud" (Freda) Hofferber of Florence, Ore., and Larry Hofferber of Prescott, Ariz.; two sisters, Peg (Eugene) Michel of Lexington and Sandra (Chuck) Gushue of Seal Beach, Calif., and two grandsons, Jason Smith of Wilmington, N.C. and Jarrod Smith of Chocowinity, N.C.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Blanche and Fred Hofferber of Lexington, and her husband, Jerry.

Ruth was born on March 26, 1925 on the Hofferber farm outside of Lexington. Ruth graduated from Lexington High School in 1942. She continued her education by attending Denver Business College.  Ruth also spent time in New York City before returning to Lexington. She was united in marriage to Gerhard "Jerry" Klocke of Arapahoe on Oct. 20, 1946 at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington. After their marriage, Ruth and Jerry moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where they homesteaded five acres, built a house and raised their daughter, Angela. Before moving to New Bern, N.C., a year ago, Ruth had a home in Rio Rico, Ariz., where she cared for her parents for five years before their deaths.