Hoffman, Helen 1911-2009

HOFFMAN, MARBACH, JOHNSON

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/18/2009 at 12:36:34

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, September 18, 2009

Helen Hoffman, 98, of Le Mars, died Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, at Embassy Rehab and Care Center in Sergeant Bluff.

Helen Mae Doris Marbach was born April 16, 1911, in Ruble, the daughter of Henry and Maidie (Johnson) Marbach. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Helen was raised in Ruble and attended Ruble Country School near her home. She graduated from Akron High School and later attended Morningside College in Sioux City. After receiving her teaching certificate, Helen taught in country schools in Plymouth County. Helen and her brother Lowell then took over the operation of the M.M. Marbach General Store at Ruble.

On May 29, 1935, Helen and Elmer L. Hoffman were united in marriage in South Dakota. The couple made their home in a house next to the Ruble Store. From 1941 to 1949 the couple farmed south of Le Mars and later owned and operated Hoffman Electric. They retired in 1972. Elmer died Aug. 30, 1998.

Helen was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. She was also a member of the Eagles Club. Helen and Elmer traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states. She enjoyed crocheting, cooking, sewing, handcrafts, baking, and raising African violets.

Helen was deeply rooted in the farm community and Ruble. In earlier years she volunteered as a 4-H leader.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Norma Starr and her husband George of Sioux City, and Karen Johnson and her husband Thomas of Seattle, Wash.; daughters-in-law, Jean Hoffman of Seattle, Wash., and Lilas Hoffman of rural Le Mars; grandchildren and their spouses Tim and Sheila Starr, Hope and Burt Beiler, Brent Hoffman, Kyle Hoffman, Julie and Darrell Frame, Laura and Chris Duke, Kent Hoffman, Eric and Gudal Lindberg and Kristofer Lindberg; great-grandchildren, Sienna, Joshua, Addison, Sawyer, Jacob, Brandon and Beckbackster; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Elmer; two sons Gerald and Douglas Hoffman; her sisters and their husbands Ruth and William Lamoreux and Wilma and Kenneth Treinen; her brothers and their wives Kenneth and Theone Marbach and Lowell and Ann Marbach.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. The Rev. Gary Landsness will officiate. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home of Le Mars. The family will be present to greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral service Wednesday.

NOTE: Inadvertently left off this obituary was the name of Helen Hoffman's great granddaugther, Darcy Starr.