D Stephanie Lohoefer

D. Stephanie Lohoefer, 83, of Plano, passed away early Monday morning, June 11, 2012, at the Allegro Assisted Living Home in Plano, Texas. She was born on March 24, 1929 in Amarillo, Texas. Stephanie discovered dancing at an early age and grew up taking ballet lessons and other forms of dance. One of her dancing classmates in Amarillo was Cyd Charisse, who later went to Hollywood and stared in films and television. Stephanie, on the other hand, met Conrad L. Lohoefer shortly after WWII and her life took a different turn. She and Conrad were married April 27, 1951 in Amarillo, Texas. They began their life in Memphis, Texas where Conrad was editor of the local newspaper. Their first daughter, Leslie, was born there. Following a short stint at the newspaper in Pampa, Texas, Conrad became the make-up editor and city hall reporter for the Wichita Falls Daily Times. Then, along came their second daughter, Leesa.
A few years later, while still in Wichita Falls their first son, Darrell was born. Then a new and better job opportunity opened up for Conrad with the Avalanche Journal in Lubbock, and there, their next two sons, Matt and Lee were born. The family of seven spent the next 22 years in Lubbock. Stephanie enrolled in Texas Tech University and burned the midnight oil, studying and tending to her family and earned a degree in Education. After having taught several years in Lubbock public schools, she went back to Texas Tech and got her Master's Degree in Education with additional certification as a Reading Specialist. Conrad then received a job opportunity in California and Stephanie knew she could teach reading anywhere, so they moved to the Golden State. Their oldest four children were either out of college, in college or just starting college and decided to remain in Texas. So Stephanie and Lee, their youngest son, joined Conrad and his Dad, and they all moved to Visalia, California. Stephanie retired from the Visalia school district in 1996. Conrad later retired in 1997. Their youngest son Lee had finished college, so in 2004 they decided it was time to return to Texas to join the rest of the family. They have lived in Plano since 2005. Stephanie enjoyed dancing, gourmet cooking, and liked to travel. In their latter years, she and Conrad traveled to Alaska and Europe, as well as making numerous trips throughout the United States. Stephanie was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Conrad; her five children, Leslie David, Leesa Cattley, Darrell, Matt, and Lee; one granddaughter, Christina; and seven grandsons Stephen, Aaron, Jason, Luke, Ryan, Jake, and Sean. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 4:00 pm at Christ United Methodist Church, Plano, Texas followed by inurnment at the Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Texas Tech University, Department of Education, in Lubbock, Texas.