Hi, Don,
I´m no expert in pronunciation, and I don´t know any word in english what
sounds like the "ö" in "Böfer". It´s a sound in "high german" two, not not only
in "plattdeutsch"!
In the name "Böfer" the "ö" has to be phoned longer and more intensive as in
the english "I heard".
You should ask germans to speak the words "Löwe", "Öfen", "Höfe", "Öl",
"Schröder", like the german chancellor - or you switch to a german TV-programm - or
you take a look into an english-german dictionary with a phonetic explanation
- or you buy a cd!
Genglish greetings,
Olaf.