Ivy Hoffman

Ivy Hoffman, age 91, of Merrill, passed away Sunday July 19 ^th , at Pine Crest Nursing Home with her family by her side, under comfort care and the loving and caring staff, nurses and CNA’s of Pine Crest.

Prior to entering Pine Crest in 2008, she resided at 907 N State St in Merrill in the home she and her husband Herman built before they were married.

Ivy was born Feb. 2, 1918 in Marathon County, Wisconsin, to the late August and Annie (Passhel) Gartman.

On Dec. 17, 1938, Ivy was united in marriage to Herman Hoffman at St. Stephens Church, Merrill. He preceded her in death on March 12, 1996.

She was a member of St. Stephens Church of Christ and a past member of the Women’s Guild Aid.

In her younger years, she belonged to the Merrill Art Association, Maidens Day off bowling league, and a card club.

Throughout her life she enjoyed being an artist, gardening, baking, sewing, making crafts, word find puzzles, and playing Fargo. She loved going for rides and enjoying the beauty of nature, especially the Council Ground State Park in Merrill.

She loved and enjoyed her family to the fullest. Each child, grandchild, great grandchild, great-great grandchild, was special to her. She kept a family tradition going for over 50 years – “Friday Night Coffee Night”, where her home was open to family and friends, where she served her special homemade baked goods, coffee cakes, donuts, and cookies and then played bingo and other games.

Ivy is survived by 4 daughters: Karen (Allan “Butch”) Diels, Shirley Jean (David) Mootz, Sandra (Ronald) Spears, and Susan Hoffman; one daughter in-law: Sandra Hull Hoffman, all of Merrill, 12 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 2 step-great grand children, 1 great-great grandson, 1 brother Reuben (Nancy) Gartman of Merrill, 1 sister Stella Hawkins of Florida. Sister-in-law Judith (Le Roy) Frick of Merrill, 2 brother-in-laws: Elmer Payne of Rhinelander, Roger (Rose) Hoffman of Merrill, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, August and Annie Gartman, her husband Herman R. Hoffman March 12, 1996 – 1 son Harvey H. Hoffman Feb. 14, 2008 – 1 grandson Todd Allan Spears Sept. 18, 2002, 1 brother Patrick Gartman, 5 sisters: Evelyn Mielke, Mabel Payne, Lillian O’Brian, Gertrude Van Slate and Anna Heckendorf.

Services will be Thursday, July 23 at 11:00 AM at Waid Funeral Home. Visitation will be 4 – 8 PM Wednesday, July 22 and again Thursday from 10 AM until the time of services at Waid Funeral Home. Rev. Scott Hawker will officiate. Burial will be at Snow Hill Cemetery. Waid Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.