Angela Hoffman

Ann Hoffman, age 93, entered the House of the Lord on Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Buffalo, MN. At the time of her peaceful passing she was surrounded by loving children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

The second oldest child of William and Elfrieda Hammann, Ann was born on the family farm in Tara Township, Swift County, on March 4, 1928. She was baptized, confirmed, and eventually married at Fairfield Trinity Lutheran Church near Holloway. Her childhood years were spent helping on the farm and playing with her siblings and cousins. And during this time she also developed what would become a lifelong love of reading. She spoke fondly of climbing to the top of the windmill with a good book. She attended Districts 81 and 99 country schools and Holloway High School, and she was quite certain that she read every book the school library had to offer.

On a farm two miles away lived her future husband, Clifford “Bucky” Hoffman. Ann recalled first meeting Bucky when their parents got together to socialize. Ann said that from the first moment they met, it was like they had always known each other. On their very first official “date” Bucky took her to a movie, but first they had to stop along the river to see if the fish were biting. Their courtship was filled with movies, roller skating, big band dancing, and of course ball games.

Ann and Bucky were united in marriage on April 28, 1946. They worked together at Hornbacher’s Grocery, first in Benson and then in Moorhead. They moved to Wheaton in January of 1953 when Bucky went into partnership with Don Bluhm as co-owner of the SuperValue Grocery Store. In 1971 Ann began working as a receptionist and bookkeeper for Dr. Lyle Goodnough, and later for Dr. John Conroy at Wheaton Eye Care. After retiring in 1990, she and Bucky continued to make their home in Wheaton, where they carried on a lifelong tradition of church and community service. They were well known in Wheaton for their willingness to help anyone in need, spending their time and energy freely on community and church causes and activities. All who knew Ann would agree she was seldom idle. She was always “on the go” with various study clubs; bridge clubs; birthday clubs; golf and bowling leagues; church LWML, choir, and Naomi Circle, and Sunday school teacher; Lifeline calls; American Cancer Society; Wheaton Hospital Auxiliary; and visits to shut-ins as a part of church service. She always displayed her Christian principles through action. In her final days, even as her energy and strength faded, she continued to send her love and devotion to family and friends through handwritten cards, because she felt it was so important to let people know that they were loved and supported.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings, as well as by her beloved husband. She is survived by and will be greatly missed by her five children and their spouses: Julie (Tom) Wieser of Fargo, ND; Steve (Laurie) Hoffman of Wheaton; Gary (Connie) Hoffman of Detroit Lakes, MN; Kristi (Jack) Harlan of Buffalo, MN; and Brian (Jill) Hoffman of Monticello, MN. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She leaves these grandchildren and great grandchildren with countless memories of devotion: all those knitted sweaters with love woven into every thread; all those hours spent playing ball with them, swinging a club with them, and patiently teaching them how to play cards calmly yet ruthlessly; all of those stories beautifully read and hugs warmly given; and all of those chocolate chip cookies...those wonderful, magical chocolate chip cookies!

A memorial service will be held for Ann at 11:30am on July 1, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the following: St. John’s Lutheran Church; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF); or St. Croix Hospice.