Wilfred "Willie" Edward Hoffmann

Mass of Christian Burial for Wilfred “Willie” Hoffmann, 91, of Marshall, will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.  Visitation will be Friday, March 25, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. with a CCW Rosary at 5:00 p.m. and a Parish Prayer Service at 7:15 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.  Interment with military honors will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall.  A livestream and recording of the service will be available at www.holy-redeemer.com.

Wilfred died on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at the Prairie Home Hospice McLaughlin House in Marshall.

Wilfred “Willie” Hoffmann was born on May 26, 1930 in Yellow Medicine County to Philip and Thekla (Hartman) Hoffmann.  He attended country school for two years and then six years at the Catholic school in St. Leo, MN.  After eighth grade, he stayed home to help on the family farm.  Then in 1952, he was drafted into the army.  He received his basic training in Camp Chaffee, AR and was a cook and baker for 18 months during the Korean War.  After returning home, he started farming.  In 1956, he married the love of his life, Marlene Vermeire.  They soon bought their little acreage to farm where they raised their family. Willie also worked for Tillman’s Stockyard for 10 years.  He loved working with other farmers grinding and delivering feed. He cherished his cattle and found great joy going to sale barns buying baby calves and young stock year around.  He never found time to take a vacation.  Willie and Marlene farmed for 42 years.  He always told the joke that he farmed until he went broke.  In May 1993, they lost everything they had in a house fire.  They then moved to Taunton for 18 months and then moved to their home in Marshall.  Willie worked for Hy-Vee for five years and put smiles on many faces delivering flowers.  After that, he worked in Walmart as a greeter and again, made many friends which he enjoyed very much. After his retirement, he spent many happy hours collecting toy tractors, helping on the farm, loving his family, and treasuring his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  They recently sold their home in Marshall and became part of the Hill Street family. 

When you met Willie, you were never a stranger for long and soon became his friend. He would do anything to help somebody out and showed the world through his words and action what kindness and humility were.  He never asked for the riches of the world but instead was happy to raise his family with a tremendous faith in the Lord. 

Willie will forever be loved by his wife of 65 years, Marlene; his son Curt  (fiancé Heather Kelly) Hoffmann, Brenda (Larry) Streich, Bev (Melvin)Welu, Cindy (Mike) Sanders, Sandy (Mark) Moorse, 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Philip and Thekla, several children including daughter Anita; brothers Floribert Hoffmann and Germain Hoffmann; sisters Ludvina Hoffmann, Eleanor Blomme, and Phyllis Polman; twin great-grandsons Joseph and Samuel Sanders.  He is forever loved and cherished.

The family will be making a donation to Prairie Home Hospice McLaughlin House for the wonderful love and care he received.