Lonni Hoffmann

1940 - 2025

Lonni Hoffmann

October 30, 1940 - December 31, 2025

Lonni Hoffmann, 85, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away in her home on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, with family at her side.

LeEllen Grace "Lonni" Hoffmann was born on October 30, 1940, in Green Acres, Davenport, Iowa, to Clarence and Beatrice (Smith) Hoffmann. She was the second oldest of six daughters. The "son her father never had," Lonni often worked side by side with her father from a young age-doing farm chores during grade school and later assisting with painting and carpentry projects throughout junior high and high school. She also helped her father remodel and open a family-operated nursing home in Low Moor, Iowa, where she worked as a caregiver before and after college and operated it during the first years of her marriage with a baby on her hip.

After graduating from high school, Lonni attended Wartburg College, earning her associate degree in Theology. She married John H. Schnack, and together they had two children, John and Judi. Having experienced an abusive mother in her youth, Lonni developed a deep compassion for children in need, opening her heart and home to many foster children over the years. Even after her divorce in 1972, she continued fostering, including Terry Russell, who remained part of the family until his passing.

While raising her children as a single parent and working multiple jobs, Lonni graduated with honors from Sterling College in Kansas. She continued her education at the University of Iowa and the University of New Mexico, and even attended summer school in British Columbia, Canada. Lonni later married Jerry Roberson, an attorney from DeWitt, and subsequently Eugene Meyer, a wheat and green pea farmer from Walla Walla, Wash.-both of whom preceded her in death.

Lonni was multifaceted and wore many hats throughout her remarkable life. She was a Sunday school teacher, a Girl Scout leader, a kitchen designer for Eclipse Lumber in DeWitt, and the owner of a painting and interior decorating business. She served as a nursing home administrator in both Kansas and Iowa, worked for Barton County College developing the first nursing home administrator's degree program in entire state of Kansas, a designer at Iowa Paint in Des Moines, as well as UDC Homes in Phoenix, Ariz., as a home stager. She also worked for The Area Agency on Aging, Aging Resources in Des Moines and while working in Des Moines she got to live with her grandchildren when they were little, something they will always cherish. She also served as Director of the Clarissa C. Cook Retirement Home for Women in Davenport.

A talented home renovator, Lonni restored many homes. She loved writing and was honored to participate in the Okoboji Writers, frequently contributing articles to the DeWitt Observer and other local publications. She recently was honored by the founder of Okoboji Writers, Julie Gammack, who established a scholarship in Lonni's name for women 60+. A lifelong learner and avid reader, she was a speed reader who brought short stories to life for everyone around her. She even spent time living in Paraguay, South America, and brushed up on her Spanish.

Lonni will be remembered for her contagious laugh, which she carried even through the darkest days of cancer. She loved painting and drawing, earning several blue ribbons for her artwork. She also enjoyed playing cards, dominoes, and dice with friends and family, always keeping score with her beautifully crafted penmanship. Gardening and long country drives after church were among her simple joys.

She is survived by her children, John Schnack II (Jill) and Judi Todd (Doug); four grandchildren, JP Schnack, Marshal Schnack (Sariah) all of DeWitt, Sara Holton (Tyler), Allan Todd (Kayla) Ankeny, Iowa; and 3.5 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by stepdaughters, Julie Roberson Bishop and Joan Roberson Karr, and very special friends, Lou and Walter Reed of Chandler, Ariz., and Dianne Prichard, DeWitt.

Lonni was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Beatrice Hoffmann; sisters, Dolores Swim, Eleanor Olson, Kathy Matthiesen, and Carelynn "Charlie" Dann; her foster son, Terry Russell; stepson, Morry Roberson; stepdaughter, Jeannie Meyer; and husbands, Jerry Roberson and Eugene Meyer.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kenneth Larson, who brought companionship, intellectual conversation, and love into Lonni's final years.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at St. John's Lutheran Church Bliedorn, Pastor Dianne Prichard officiating. Burial will follow at Our Savior's Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Calamus.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.