Obit: Hoffman, Erna B. (1915 - 2012)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org    

Surnames: Hoffman, Fenzel, Weller, Hansen, Cornelius, Hewuse, Miller

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 05/10/2012

Hoffman, Erna B. (4 JAN 1915 - 7 MAY 2012)

Erna B Hoffman, 97, passed away at the home of her son David on May 7, 2012, and is now in the presence of our Savior, based on the authority of God's Holy Word in 1 John 5:13, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." Erna was born near Colby to Fred and Katarina (Fenzel) Weller on January 4, 1915. After eighth grade she worked at the home farm and on neighboring farms; and later she and her sister Hilda worked as domestics in the Chicago area. She married Henry George Hoffman, of Stratford on October 25, 1937 in Waukon, Iowa. They operated a cheese factory in Frankville, Iowa. In 1952 they settled in the Stratford area, where they worked hard and operated a successful dairy farm. Besides caring for the children, Erna helped with milking and fieldwork. She enjoyed gardening well into her 90's and each winter the basement shelves held a colorful display of canned fruits and vegetables. They retired from farming in 1974 and moved to Rib Mountain. Erna was employed at Lemke Cheese for 10 years. Her cooking became the favorite of many visitors, these later years. She was meticulous and liked to tweak good recipes to make them even better. She is remembered, in part, for her good cooking especially homemade bread, apple pies, dinner rolls, lasagna, and spritz Christmas cookies. Henry passed when she was 83 and she lived alone until she was 95. Erna knew two great sorrows in her life: the first was the loss of their beautiful three year old daughter Janet, to a burn accident, and the second was the birth of a profoundly handicapped daughter Karen, due to German measles during pregnancy. But she also knew great joy: The joy of being born again, about which Jesus spoke in John chapter 3. After Janet died, they received a letter from a pastor who lost a son, proclaiming hope that they could see Janet again. They responded by searching the scriptures to see what is necessary for salvation, and found that it is a life giving faith in Christ. Many family members look upon Janet's tragic loss as the event that would lead them in the way to heaven. Erna was preceded in death by husband of 62 years, Henry, her parents, all her siblings, Elsie, Dorothy, Hilda and George, and by her daughters, Janet Faith and Karen Joyce. She is survived by three children, five grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great step- great grandson; daughter, Carol (William) Hansen, of Richmond, IL; their sons; Dan (Cori) Hansen and their son Hunter of Genoa City, WI; and William (Sasha) Hansen and their son Brady of Lakeville, MN. Daughter, Jean Hewuse of Rhinelander, and her children, Melissa and hers sons, Taylor, Keaton and Gavin of Wausau; and her son Matthew (Ashlee) Cornelius and daughters McKinley and Avery of Duluth, MN. Son David(Susan) Hoffman of Edgar, and their son Isaac, and Becky(Steve)Paul, Ben Miller and son Zeke, Wausau, and Alix Miller, a student at LaGrange, WY. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Community Bible Church, 100 Field Street (alongside HWY 97) in Stratford, WI 54484, beginning with visitation at 10:00am and service at 11:00am, led by Pastor Lee Christian of Wausau. A catered lunch following will include some of Erna's best loved recipes. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Child Evangelism Fellowship or Rural Bible Crusade, sent c/o Community Bible Church in Stratford. Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family; condolences can be left at www.jjbfh.com.