Hoffman, Maria Janzen (1872-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Feb 16 p. 3

Birth date: 1872 Sep 4

text of obituary:

MRS. LUDWIG HOFFMAN

Maria Hoffman, daughter of Isaac and Maria Jansen, was born on Sept. 4, 1872, in South Russia.

At the age of four years, in the year 1876, she with her parents migrated to the United States, settling near Henderson, Nebr. Here she grew to womanhood and was baptized by Elder Peter Friesen upon the confession of faith in Christ Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and became a member of the Bethesda Mennonite church of Henderson. Later her membership was transferred to the Salem Mennonite church at Munich, N. Dak.

On July 17, 1892, she was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Ludwig Hoffman. This union was blessed with 11 children, seven sons and four daughters. Three sons preceded her in death, a pair of twins at birth and Jacob at the age of 16 years. A daughter-in-law also preceded her in death.

In March, 1901, they moved to North Dakota and homesteaded on a farm three and one-half miles southwest of Munich, where they lived until they retired from active farming. She often related experiences of their pioneer days on the prairies of North Dakota. For the past several years they lived in the village of Munich.

She was often sick and suffered much at times but always bore it patiently. On Jan. 6, I950, at 6:30 p. m. it pleased our Heavenly Father to quietly take her home and relieve her from all her suffering. She reached the age of 77 years, four months and two days, and lived in wedlock 57 years, five months, and 30 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure her beloved husband; four sons, Louis, Isaac, Henry and Dan Hoffman; four daughters, Mrs. A. A. Thiessen, Mrs. D. C. Dick, Mrs. Peter Harder and Mrs. Willard Schultz, all of Munich; four sons-in-law, three daughters-in-law, 40 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren, three brothers and three sisters. All mourn her departure, but rejoice in the words which John heard on the Isle of Patmos and was commanded to write, Rev. 14: 13, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." We rejoice also in that hope of meeting her again on that eternal morning where parting will be no more,

Funeral services were held on Jan. 10, 1950, at 2:00 p. m, in the Salem Mennonite church at Munich. Rev. H. F. Ortmann, pastor of the church, was in charge and Rev. G. W. Schroeder also gave a message. A male quartet sang several fitting and comforting numbers in song. Pallbearers were six of their grandsons, George, Archie, and Donald Hoffman, Lewis and Leonard Dick and James Thiessen. She was laid to rest in the church cemetery. — The bereaved family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1950 Feb 28 p. 139