Memories of Joan Nadine Hoffman | Ever Loved

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In memory of

Joan Nadine Hoffman

Newport, MN, USA

April 13, 1950 - April 3, 2021

Apr 13, 1950 - Apr 3, 2021

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Maria Chevalier

I am so sorry to the whole Hoffman-Maher family for your loss...I knew Joan through her son, Eric, and was blessed to hear many fun stories of his youth and how very much he appreciated his fine parents. May you all feel Joan’s blessings in the memories she leaves behind.

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Marice Lane

Joans focus on family was always paramount...grandkids were the grandest gift ever!! Her love for family was evident in about every conversation...

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Eric Hoffman

She spent plenty of nights in cold hockey rinks watching the boys. For sure. She spent plenty of nights in cold hockey rinks watching the boys. For sure. She spent plenty of nights in cold hockey rinks watching... Read more

Eric Hoffman

Mom, through the years.

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Maria Chevalier

Please consider a donation to Joan Hoffman Memorial Fund.

$3,030.91

total raised

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Kate Maher

Apple Valley & White Bear Lake MN/Grand Tetons WY

I'll always remember the holiday family meals shared together in Apple Valley, Stillwater & Newport. In fact, just this Easter I smiled as Joan joined me in the spirit of piling on the feta cheese for our salad....(never will the cheese be forgotten)!! I have fond memories of the backpacking trip to the Grand Tetons & sharing the hiking at Lake O'Hara in the Canadian Rockies. As we drove through the Rockies a day after the funeral I could feel her presence & joy of the happy memories. Happy Trails Sister Until We Meet Again!!

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Marice Lane

Eric Hoffman

Lynn Hoffman

Comments:

Lynn Hoffman

So many wonderful memories! I still have yet to experiment the famous Lake O’Hara... have loved the stories... Read more So many wonderful memories! I still have yet to experiment the famous Lake O’Hara... have loved the stories I’ve heard through... Read more So many wonderful memories! I still have yet to experiment... Read more

Eric Hoffman

@Kate The Lake O'Hara trip I knew was special, but the memories have far outlasted many other trips. What... Read more @Kate The Lake O'Hara trip I knew was special, but the memories have far outlasted many other trips. What a unique time for you... Read more @Kate The Lake O'Hara trip I knew was special, but ... Read more

Traci Dravis

Joan and the Kinder crew in the early days

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Eric Hoffman

John Tschohl

As kids growing up In the neighborhood, your mom was always so kind to all of us. She is a special kind of lady. She will be sorely missed.

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Eric Hoffman

Jennifer Pierquet

Our hearts go out to you during this time. May God bless you.

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Eric Hoffman

B. Sannan

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom. She was always so sweet to me when she would come into the office :) She was a very special lady. Sending prayers and hugs your way. Deepest condolences to your family, thinking of you all.

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Nicole Karan

Eric Hoffman

Tanya Olsen

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Tanya Olsen

She had such a Beautiful Smile and a Caring Heart. Sending my love to you all 💞🙏🏼💞 She had such a Beautiful Smile and a Caring Heart. Sending my love to you all 💞🙏🏼💞 She had such a Beautiful Smile and a Caring Heart. ... Read more

Jenny Sinn

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Marie Socha

Sending hugs to you all. Although I never met Miss Joan in person, I can see what a wonderful person she must have been based on how her kids turned out (Eric!!). Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way.

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Nicole Karan

Eric Hoffman

Rylan Hoffman

2015, Payson, AZ, USA

One Christmas we were opening presents, and I had yet to learn how to read very well. When it was my turn, I opened the present and got the series of Hey Jack books. I was excited and asked grandma Joan to help me read them. That’s how she taught me how to read, and I’ve loved to read to this day.

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Eric Hoffman

Nicole Karan

Maria Chevalier

Comments:

Marice Lane

Nice legacy..this reading thing.. Nice legacy..this reading thing.. Nice legacy..this reading thing..

Marice Lane

In our younger years my sister, not as inclined to play outside as me, became exasperated with my many requests one morning. She suggested I try reading a book with my extra time!
"Here try Huckleberry Finn. You might like that one!" I settled in with her suggestion. By afternoon I decided she might be onto something good...this reading of books!! Thus began a lifetime of reading for entertainment, information, knowledge, growth, and just a great way to spend a rainy day or a cold MN winter day!
Thanks to sister Joan...
A good influencer

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Marice Lane

Eric Hoffman

Marie Socha

Nicole Karan

Comments:

Eric Hoffman

I love this! When I had chicken pox, she was like, well, settle in! She bought me the complete set of... Read more I love this! When I had chicken pox, she was like, well, settle in! She bought me the complete set of Laura Ingalls Wilder... Read more I love this! When I had chicken pox, she was like,... Read more

Eric Hoffman

Spoiler alert, I still watch the show to this day, too. Spoiler alert, I still watch the show to this day, too. Spoiler alert, I still watch the show to this day, ... Read more

Marie Socha

I still watch the show too Eric! I still watch the show too Eric! I still watch the show too Eric!

Lynn Hoffman

2003, Spicer, MN, USA

When I met Eric they were living in Payson, and my parents had bought a new cabin on Green Lake in Spicer. The cabin was under construction... Fran and Joan were in town and our parents met for the first time at the cabin. (It was the first time anyone stayed at the cabin).

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Nicole Karan

Lauren Hoffman

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Lauren Hoffman

One of my favorite memories with my grandma is when we were in Payson and she had an app on her iPad. It was an online fart piano. I remember we would play around with the app for a long time and we sat on the couch and couldn't stop laughing. I loved when she made homemade ornaments for me at Christmas. The ornaments we so beautifully made. Grandma was so talented in everything she did. My friends loved when she came to Grandparents Day because everyone knew her! She was loved by more than my family. She was such a lovable soul and I loved being around her because she was always so positive and she never gave up. She is one of the strongest people I know. She fought 'till the end and stayed with us an extra 6 months. She was an amazing person and we will miss her greatly.

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Marie Socha

Nicole Karan

Maria Chevalier

Comments:

Eric Hoffman

Oh grandma would shake her finger at you but then laugh so loud you outed her on the fart piano app!! Oh grandma would shake her finger at you but then laugh so loud you outed her on the fart piano app!! Oh grandma would shake her finger at you but then laugh... Read more

ethan hoffman

2013, Payson, AZ, USA

this is one of my favorite pictures from Payson with grandma, grandpa, Mr and Mrs Clause, me, (middle) Lauren, (right) and Rylan, (left) at Christmas in 2013. :)

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ethan hoffman

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ethan hoffman

One of my favorite things to do with my grandma in Payson was when we went down, and their neighbors dressed up as Mr and Mrs Clause, and would deliver us presents, along with candy canes and joy. I also remember being there and feeding the javelinas behind their house, as well as feeding the ducks downtown, with a lot of bread. Going out hiking with grandpa was another favorite, as well as getting food and bringing it back to the house to grandma in the Jeep. Another favorite thing that I know me and my siblings have along with Allie and Cooper, was that grandma read to us, and taught me and Lauren and Rylan how to read. She came to me and Rylan's hockey games, as well as all three of our's soccer games as much as she could, even with pain. She fought as long as she could, and God blessed us with 6 more months than the doctors said. She was the best grandma a kid could ever ask for.

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Nicole Karan

Maria Chevalier

Eric Hoffman

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Eric Hoffman

Yesterday, my mom Joan Maher Hoffman peacefully passed and joined her mother, father, and siblings in heaven just in time to celebrate Easter. She was a resilient person, having battled through many years of challenges before being diagnosed last spring with Cancer. When mom was diagnosed after surgery in early September with Sepsis, it was unsure she’d make it. Of course she beat it! The nurse privately then said to me that upon her deciding on hospice at home care, we’d get 45 days. Not to be outdone, she was able to be with us another 6 months.

Many nights as I left her house after an evening of caring for her, I would step out into the cold, still, quiet winter night and hear the trains nearby rattling down the track. I would stop, breathe deep, look around and pause in gratitude. I had one more night with mom.

Even near the end, mom retained her spirit and wit, and love of a good joke. She has always been a fan of my photography which adorns my walls at home, and we both love a Canadian photographer. I reached out to him in December and asked him to sign a few books, and he graciously did. So we would look at those, her mind still sharp as her body could not be. She liked a particular image; told me the name of the lake. I said excitedly, “Mom , you know what we should do? Print out this picture, put it on my wall at home, and see if people think it’s mine.” She broke out in laughter, and her quiet eyes lit up and sparkled as she considered this chicanery. It was the last time I heard her laugh, but this moment wrapped up so much all at once is indelible to me.
Mom was so insightful and a consummate teacher throughout her life. She was a stay at home mom, working with Nicole and I to have a solid foundation of learning and growth. She would know something was wrong before we even knew it, and was always there for us. She then went back to college when I was in middle school to pursue her dream of teaching. It was inspiring watching her achieve her goals right along side us as students.

One day, I reached out to her because I was concerned Rylan was simply uninterested in reading. She said, “Look at the sparkle in that kids’ eye. Don’t worry about him, he will blossom in time.” Today, he is our straight A student, and a voracious reader.
She taught a generation of kids that their fears of school and the unknown in Kindergarten were unfounded. Learning is a place of growth, fun, and rewarding opportunity for all kids, regardless of your background. There are many grateful parents to this day that Mrs. Hoffman was their child's first teacher.

Even in her passing, she was teaching. The grandkids surrounded her as she spent her final hours. They held her hand, rubbed her hair, and whispered to her. They saw that while death is hard for us, the process for them can be peaceful, dignified, and with tremendous amounts of love.

She was above everything compassionate for her family and friends. Know that as we read social posts or hand written cards to her, it was with gratitude as we would harken back to the stories she lovingly told about her family, her beloved co-workers from school, and new and old neighbors. She always had a story (or two!) and a good word for every one of you.

Last night I had trouble sleeping because the moment I slept, I knew I would never be able to say again, “today I was with mom”. But, as I teased her quietly before the end… “You know, Mom, when you are in heaven, you will be able to keep a much better eye on me”. She raised her eyebrows. Rest In Peace, Mom, and I know you took that last teasing joke as the gospel truth.

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Nicole Karan

Maria Chevalier

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$3,030.91

total raised

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Created with love by Eric Hoffman (Joan's son).

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