MARGARET A. HOFFMANN

1921 - 2014

Margaret Antoinette (Griner) Hoffmann, 93, was called home to Heaven on Christmas Day, December 25, 2014, at Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center, DeKalb, Illinois.

Margaret was born June 21, 1921, in Dunkirk, Indiana. The youngest of nine children, she grew up on a farm, fondly referred to as "The Acres." She graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1939 and attended Ball State University, where she majored in English and earned her teaching degree in 1951. She received her Master of Science in Education in 1973 from Northern Illinois University. Margaret enjoyed teaching, and taught and substituted in elementary and high schools in Indiana and Illinois.

While attending classes at UW-Madison in the summer of 1954, she met Earl E. Hoffmann, and they decided to marry on November 26, 1954. The two educators commenced their marriage in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, moving seven more times before settling in DeKalb in 1967.

Margaret eventually became a secretary at Wurlitzer Piano Manufacturing Company and later at Northern Illinois University.

Margaret was a committed and faithful Christian. She read her Bible daily and looked for every opportunity to encourage and bring joy to others. As an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in DeKalb for 46 years, she participated in ministries such as AAL (Thrivent), Braille Center, Lutheran Women in Mission, Choir, Altar Guild, Sunday school, the sewing group, and visiting shut-ins and county home residents. She also volunteered with DeKalb County Hospice and Habitat for Humanity. Perhaps most importantly, Margaret was a wonderful mother, who was able to teach her children and mold them into good Christians.

After she moved to Oak Crest in 2007, she became involved in the Pen Pal program, sewing group, welcoming new residents, the NIU exercise program, and visiting residents in the Health Center. Her warm smile greeted everyone she encountered.

Margaret was well known for her frequent and loving correspondence to her closely-knit extended family and numerous friends. In graceful script, she characteristically conveyed her caring concern for others and her desire to maintain close ties. She also practiced hospitality and enjoyed many gatherings with friends. Her hobbies included reading, flower gardening, sewing, crafts and bird watching.

Travel was always an educational experience for Margaret's family, visiting many states across America and eventually touring other countries. Margaret traveled to all the capitals in Europe and various destinations in the Middle East, Spain, Mexico and South America, edifying her about other cultures. Domestic trips often included visits to relatives' homes.

Believing that education is a key to success and desiring to help aspiring teachers realize their ambition, Margaret and Earl established four scholarships, three for elementary education and one for music, at Ball State University, UW-Madison and NIU.

Margaret is survived by three daughters, Sandra (Neil) Austin of Trenton, New Jersey, Linda (Daniel) Peterson of Racine, Wisconsin, and Cynthia Hoffmann of Racine, Wisconsin; two granddaughters, Lindsay Woelbing of Springfield, Missouri, and Lauren Woelbing, of Franksville, Wisconsin; sister, Martha Johnson of Parker, Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Earl Hoffmann; her parents, Daniel and Camille Griner; two brothers; five sisters; and a niece.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 3, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 511 Russell Road, DeKalb, with the Revs. Ray Krueger and Marty Marks officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Immanuel. Burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery, DeKalb.

The family suggests memorials for the Oak Crest Good Samaritan Fund, DeKalb County Hospice, and Immanuel Lutheran Church.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call Anderson Funeral Home, DeKalb, at 815-756-1022.