Blanche Hoffman

Blanche Hoffman lived life to its fullest, and was the happiest when she had her family by her side. She was a remarkable woman who was a shining example of the balance between hard work and recreation, while still handling the responsibilities of daily life with finesse. Blanche was a beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. The year was 1924, and it was a monumental one in Canadian history, as it was in this year that the Royal Canadian Air Force was formed, on April 1st. Stephen and Sarah (Porter) Dean of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, were preparing for their own monumental event; as Sarah was due to give birth to their eleventh child. They were indeed blessed on June 28, 1924 with the birth of a healthy baby, their daughter Blanche. When Blanche was just two years old her family moved to downtown Muskegon, Michigan in search of work. These were financially difficult times for many young families, and Blanches family experienced this firsthand. Her mother worked providing private, in-home care in order to help make ends meet. Blanche and her younger sibling were raised in part, by their older sisters. Blanche attended Muskegon Public Schools where she met a charming young man named Gordon Hoffman, and the two became friends. Blanche and Gordon were separated for a time when he went off to serve in the United States Coast Guard, but they stayed in touch through letters. Their paths would one day cross again, but that would be down the road a bit. Blanche remembered fondly some fun times she had as a young girl, ice skating at the Mart Dock with her talented brother George; he even went on to play professional hockey for a time! Blanche focused on her studies and graduated from Muskegon High School after which she got a job doing clerical work at Bennett Pump. After Gordon returned from his duties in the Coast Guard, his path did again cross with Blanches. Both Blanche and Gordon were on their way to a church function in Holland, Michigan, riding on a bus where Gordon couldnt seem to find a seat. Blanche offered her lap, which was the beginning of a love story that would span nearly 60 years. Blanche and Gordon began dating and were married at the Central Methodist Church, on October 4, 1946. The newlyweds were soon blessed with the birth of their first child, daughter Jo, born in 1947. Blanche embraced her role as a mother, staying at home with Jo while Gordon worked at Anaconda Wire and Cable. In 1950, their young family moved to a home on Richards Rd. in Laketon Township, where they were joined by two additional children: daughter Terri, in 1953, and son Doug, in 1956. The Hoffmans were looking toward the future when they purchased some property on Auble Rd. After his work day had ended, Gordon spent three years building a new home, which the family moved into, in 1959. This would be the home that Blanche would live in for the majority of her life. When her children were old enough, Blanche took a job at Hillcrest Nursing Home, located in North Muskegon, as a cook and later as a nurses aid. She then worked for Coles Bakery, most famous for their frozen garlic bread, until she became a clerk at her brother Georges store, Northshore Hardware, where she would work until she retired, in 1990. Blanche enjoyed working, but her employment never got in the way of her first priority, her family. She always made sure she was back home when her children got home from school and there was always a hot meal on the table at 5:30, just the way Gordon liked it! She found time to pursue additional interests as she was active in the Ladies Auxiliary at her church, Laketon Bethel Reformed, and she also was a Girl Scout leader for her girls. Blanche enjoyed bowling and belonged to leagues in downtown Muskegon with Gordon, and they additionally volunteered at the Eagles Fish Fry on Friday nights for several years. Blanche and Gordon were able to make many precious memories with their children over the years. They cherish the times they spent making strawberry jam with Blanche and the special treat of popcorn on nights when Gordon was bowling. As a family they loved to go camping, and often went on trips to Canada to visit relatives. They also spent a few years with their trailer parked at Pioneer Park on Lake Michigan in Muskegon, and Silver Lake State Park in Shelby, in where they would live for the entire summer, making memories that would last a lifetime. In their retirement years, Blanche and Gordon became snowbirds when they left the cold winters of Michigan behind and enjoyed the warm weather in Arcadia, Florida where Blanche enjoyed playing shuffleboard and singing in the church choir. Blanche cherished being a grandmother, and spent as much time as she could with her grandchildren, often playing cards. She enjoyed doing various crafts, as well as sewing baby quilts. She was active in TOPS and always made it to her Wednesday morning meetings. Life got more difficult for Blanche over the past ten years, as she battled with a number of health issues. She had open heart surgery, knee replacement surgery, and elbow surgery as well. Her most difficult trial, however, was when Gordon was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 and died only six months later. As a new widow, Blanche moved into assisted living and eventually to the Sanctuary at the Park Nursing Home. She was blessed there with wonderful staff members caring for her, new friendships that were formed, and various enjoyable activities, especially bingo. Blanche Hoffman lived a life full of many accomplishments, but the one she valued the most was her family. She continuously gave of herself to brighten the days of all who were placed in her path. The memoires that Blanche made with her family and friends will be forever etched in their hearts. Blanche I. Hoffman died peacefully Tuesday, November 25, 2008. Blanches family includes her son, Doug (Lisa) Hoffman of Traverse City; two daughters, Jo (Chuck) Bergbower, Terri (Mike) Forward, both of Muskegon; 6 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; brother, George (June) Dean of N. Muskegon; 2 sisters-in-law, Carol Hoffman, Barbara Boerma; brother-in-law, Arvi Niemi; special cousin, Margie Kamhout. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Larry & William Dean; 8 sisters, Florence Dykema Baker, Janet Niemi, Evelyn Brunk, Lillian Curow Firestone, Muriel Evans, Marvel Wheaton, Hazel Fordham, Iva Bailey. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church with Jan Reahm officiating. A reception will follow the service at the church. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Visit with Blanches family and friends on Saturday, 1 hour prior to the service at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church. Please visit Blanches memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory, or make a memorial contribution to Laketon Bethel Reformed Church, or Muskegon Rescue Mission.