Mary Hoffman

Mary Hoffman, 90, of Browns Valley, MN, died Friday, August 18, 2017, at the Browns Valley Health Center.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, August 22, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley with Father Stanley Wieser officiating.  Music will be provided by Norma Jung and vocalist Todd Johnson.

Burial will be in the St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery, Browns Valley.  Pallbearers will be Eric Hoffman, Dan Hoffman, Jason Hoerler, and Lynn Hoffman.

Mary Ottila was born on December 8, 1926, on a farm in Day County, SD, to Frank and Rose (Rumpca) Wika.  Mary was one of 12 children, with her sister Helen Pischke being the only surviving sibling.  Mary met Joe through her sister Helen at a dance.  They were united in marriage on September 27, 1944, at the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Browns Valley, MN.  From this union, they were blessed with six children.  They remained soul mates and best friends until Joe's death on September 26, 2009.

During Mary's work years, she did a variety of jobs.   Foremost, she worked hard on the farm alongside of Joe, as well as raising kids, gardening, cooking, canning and clothes washing with the wringer washer.   Mary then went to work at Gettman's Red Owl as a store clerk, followed by working at the school as a cook for several years.  When not busy raising her family and working, Mary and Joe loved to dance.   They were in several square dance clubs and were frequently seen dancing at the Coliseum.  And when not out kicking up her heels or working, Mary used to love to garden, can, do crafts and spend time with family.  She was an avid sewer, quilter, did many types of crafts, loved her card games, bingo, and loved to read.   Mary enjoyed having her grandchildren come and stay during summer vacations.  She loved showing the grandkids the beauty of small town life and the grandchildren have very fond memories of their stays with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Joe.

Survivors include her five children, Francis (Joan) Hoffman of Payson, AZ; Richard (Colleen) Hoffman of Florence, MT; Janet Holmes of Omaha, NE; Jack Hoffman of Burnsville, MN; and Jolien (Tom) Glockner of Florence, MT;  ten grandchildren, Eric (Lynn) Hoffman, Nicole Karan, Jeremy (Kara) Hoffman, Jared (Sara) Holmes, Shannon (Chuck) Hoskevec, Nick (Jen) Holmes, Jason (Tammy) Hoffman, Mike (Sara) Hoffman, Dan (Leah) Hoffman, and Kari (Jason) Hoerler; 14 great-grandchildren, Allie, Cooper, Ethan, Rylan, Lauren, Emerson, Avery, Olive, Adele, Jason, Courtney, Lacey, Miranda, and Eli; one great-great grandson, Aiden; and a sister, Helen.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; and son, Thomas.