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Benjamin Hoffman Obituary – 1/31/18


Benjamin “Ben” Edward Hoffman, age 84, Spring Park, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018.

A memorial service will take place Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. at Lake Minnetonka Shores Chapel, 4515 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park. There will be visitation from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the service.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family prefers memorials in Ben’s honor to the Lake Minnetonka Shores Benevolence Fund.

Arrangements are with Huber Funeral & Cremation Services, Mound Chapel; www.huberfunerals.com.

Ben was born June 2, 1933, in Armour, SD, to Benjamin and Mabel (Dvorak) Hoffman. He attended school through the eighth grade in Delmont, SD, and later Boone Lake Township Country School near Stewart, MN.

In 1949, at the age of 16, Ben joined the Army National Guard Company B stationed out of Hutchinson, and was later stationed at Fort Rucker, AL.

While stationed in Alabama, Ben met Mary Christine Rogers from Enterprise, AL. They were united in marriage March 10, 1953, by the Rev. Robert Brown.

Ben and Mary moved to Stewart, where they welcomed six children, and spent 20 years raising their family.

In 1986, they moved to Kissimmee, FL, where they spent 28 wonderfully warm years until health brought them back to Minnesota to be closer to family in August 2014.

While in Kissimmee, Ben worked in maintenance at Wilson World Hotel (which later became Ramada West Gate), where he was affectionately known as “Mr. Ben.” He was a man of many talents and could fix anything that was broken.

Even after retiring and moving to an independent living facility at Lake Minnetonka Shores in Spring Park, Ben continued to advise the maintenance crew on how to do things, and helped them when he could.

Ben spent many days outside by the lake edging the lawn, blowing leaves off the sidewalks, and feeding the birds. He most enjoyed walking his beloved companion, Skeeter, through the buildings so everyone could pet him.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Mabel Hoffman; a sister, Ramona Wosmek; mother- and father-in-law, James and Dolly Rogers; and many other family members and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary C. Hoffman of Spring Park; and children, Terry (Glenn) Elyea of Pilager, Ronald Hoffman of Litchfield, Debra (Mike) Middleton of Coon Rapids, Cindy (Tim) Emery of Garrison, Russell (DeShay) Hoffman of Altamonte Springs, FL, and Richard Hoffman of Monument, CO.

Ben is further survived by grandchildren, Julie, Sara, and Barry Windschitl, Jeremy (Cori), Ryan (Lisa), Corey (Nichole) Schroeder, Gabe Hoffman, Brent (Rebecca) Schott, Jennifer (Philip) Lachermeier, Renee (Brian) Kraus, and Sean (Kali) Hoffman; and great-grandchildren Kasey, Madison, Kaden, Megan, Luke, Dylan, Isabella, Abigail, Calen, Chloe, Trevin, Taylor, and Benjamin.

In addition, Ben is also survived by a brother, Vernon (Marcella) of Phoenix, AZ; and sisters Adeline Hlavka, and Nora Volrath of Silver Lake.

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