Memorial Trees
A
Anonymous
April 28, 2025
Memorial trees planted for:
Emma Pauline Hoffman
<p>Emma Pauline (nee: Lange) Hoffman, being heaven bound, slept peacefully away on April 26, 2025, at the age of 102, holding the Companion Bear provided by her great-grandson, Daniel “Professor” Hoffman, and with her beloved friend, Bev Collins, at her side. At the time of her passing, Emma was residing at Friendly Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhinelander under the care of Aspirus Hospice services.</p><p><br></p><p>Emma was born to Otto and Susanna (nee: Rode) Lange of Laona, WI on December 9, 1922. She was the fourth of nine children born to the couple, being the third of six girls with three brothers interspersed. The family lived in a small pioneer cabin in rural Laona throughout her childhood and teen years. The home was without electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing, things she truly came to appreciate in her teen and adult years. German was the first language of the family and of other families residing in Starks Settlement. Through the efforts of Laona School District staff, Emma, and others, mastered the English language. Being inspired by her second-grade teacher, she began a lifelong journey of learning. Emma loved to read and spent many hours working in the Edith Evans Library throughout her high school years. At the age of eight, she knew that she wanted to become a nurse – a goal she pursued and achieved.</p><p><br></p><p>Upon graduating from the Laona High School in 1941, Emma, along with her best friend, Edna Redlich (Groh), moved to West Bend and secured employment at the West Bend Munitions Factory. After two years of work, Emma had adequate savings to continue pursuit of a nursing career. She began her post-secondary education in 1943 at the Milwaukee Hospital School of Nursing. Upon completion of a three year course of study, Emma entered the Nurse Cadet Corps, being stationed at Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan, where care was provided to injured American servicemen. Emma credits the diversity of care and expertise of those she worked with at Battle Creek, as being the most intense learning experience of her career. She was extremely proud to be a part of the Nurse Cadet Corps. The military affiliated service provided by Emma and others of the Corps, is recognized through the Women’s Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.</p><p><br></p><p>While working in Southern Illinois, she met and married Ernest “Jim” Hoffman. The couple moved to the Chicago suburbs, raising three children: Gayle, Bill, and Jean and where, Emma continued her nursing career. In 1960, Emma and family returned to the home farm in Laona where she cared for her parents and began work at the Ovitz Hospital in Laona. She remained there until the hospital closed. Emma’s last years of employment were spent at the Crandon Nursing Home where she truly enjoyed working under the direction of Betty Resch and with so many of the doctors, nurses, nursing assistants and other staff members. Although often considered a stern task master, she was well liked and respected by those who worked with her and under her supervision. She encouraged many to further their educations, pursue their dreams, and never stop learning. Emma retired several months short of her 70th birthday, but did not give up “nursing”, as her time became devoted to caring for family members with varying needs. Retirement allowed her to spend more time with the grandchildren she so dearly loved and impart to them many words of wisdom.</p><p><br></p><p>Emma loved nature. An avid chicken farmer, “her girls” not only provided eggs, but purpose. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and experimenting with new or unusual plants. Emma taught her children, grandchildren, and anyone she could interest, how to plant, water, and “weed”! One of her greatest joys was picking wild berries, of any kind, in the company of one of her several faithful dogs. She roamed the woods in search of wild mushrooms, finding great peace in those same woods she so often walked as a child. She encouraged her grandchildren to be nature buffs, allowing them to fish in her rain barrel, exploring the woods together, and having grand picnics on large rocks. Emma continued to read voraciously until the failing of her eyes. She had a great love of “good” music and would often sing to her grandchildren, while gardening, or sitting in her recliner.</p><p><br></p><p>Emma was a long standing member of St. John Lutheran Church, Laona. She thoroughly enjoyed the comradery of Ladies Aid members and was proud of their many service efforts and accomplishments.</p><p><br></p><p>Survivors include her children, Gayle Webster, Bill (Patricia) Hoffman, Jean (Michael) Hoffman-Anuta; grandchildren: Lynn (Jason) Hilger, Gregg (Samantha) Hoffman, Michael Lange Anuta, Samuel Anuta; great-grandchildren: Trent (Rachel) Karl, Bryce Karl, Brody Hoffman, Colt Hoffman, and Daniel Hoffman; great-great grandchildren: Mia Karl, Oliver Karl, Andrew Karl; honorary grandchildren : Ron Karl and David Karl, many beloved nieces and nephews - by blood or marriage, along with dear friends Bev Collins and Eileen and Willie Karl.</p><p><br></p><p>In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Ernest, siblings: Frieda (Sig) Milanowski, Herman (Alice) Lange, Martha (Maurice) Attig, Leonard Lange, Hedy (Eddie) Tamin, John Lange, Ruth (Frank) Lemke and Esther Wilson.</p><p><br></p><p>Visitation will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Weber-Hill & Packard Funeral Home in Crandon, resuming from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Saturday, May 3, 2025, until the time of service at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Jamie Bauknecht will preside over services. Burial will follow at the Town of Laona Cemetery.</p><p><br></p>December 9, 1922 - April 26, 202512/09/192204/26/2025
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