Hoffman, Ludwig (1867-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Jun 22 p. 6

Birth date: 1867 Sep 20

text of obituary:

LUDWIG HOFFMAN

Ludwig Hoffman, son of Jacob and Elisabeth Hoffman, was born at Zweibruecken, Bayern, Germany, on Sept. 20, 1867.

When only a lad he lost his mother by death and thus grew up without the love and tender care of a mother. In early youth he was confirmed and became a member of the Lutheran church.

In the fall of 1883 (just before Christmas) at the age of 16 years he left Germany for the United States, arriving in New York in 1884. He went to Henderson, Nebr. where he worked as a farm hand until he established his own home. Here he also joined the Bethesda Mennonite church. Later when they moved to North Dakota in 1901 and settled on the old homestead three miles south and one mile west of Munich, he transferred his membership to the Salem Mennonite church at Munich, of which he remained a member until death.

On July 17, 1892, he was joined with Marie Janzen in the holy bonds of matrimony. This union was blessed with 11 children, three sons preceding him in death. On Jan. 6, 1950, this union was dissolved when the Lord called his dear life's companion from his side. They had lived in wedlock 57 years, five months, and 20 days, and after three months and 22 days of lonely pilgrimage as a widower it pleased the Lord to also call him home on April 28, 1950, at about 7 p.m. He went to be with the Lord without pain or struggle while sitting in a chair. He reached the age or 82 years, seven months and eight days

He leaves to mourn his departure eight children, 40 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and many friends. The four sons and four daughters are Louis Hoffman, Isaac Hoffman, Mrs. A. A Thiessen, Mrs. D. C. Dick, Henry Hoffman, Mrs. Peter Harder, Mrs. Willard Schultz and Dan Hoffman, all of Munich, N. Dak. Dan Hoffman could not attend the funeral because of illness.

In reviewing the life of our dear father we see that his was a life of hard work. The Lord gave him a strong healthy body until he was 80 years old; after that his health slowly began to fail. His final ailment was cancer of the right lung, which brought his life to a sudden close. There were also many rough and dangerous stretches along the way, but the Lord's Grace was always sufficient

Funeral services were held on May 3, 1950, at 1 p.m. in the home and at 2 p.m. in the Salem Mennonite church of Munich. Rev. H. F. Ortmann, pastor of the church, spoke in the German language and Rev. G. W. Schroeder gave an English message. A male duet and several male quartet numbers were brought in song. Also a very fitting poem was read entitled, “Father Has Fallen Asleep.”

Pallbearers were six of his grandsons, George Hoffman, Archie Hoffman, Donald Hoffman, Robert Harder, Lewis Dick and Leonard Dick. He was laid to rest at the side of his wife in the church cemetery. — The bereaved family.