Jean Ellen Hoffmann, Age 87, of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Saturday April 26, 2025.
Jean was born April 10, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Thelma Luella Hoffmann (nee Anderson) and Frederick Otto Hoffmann.
Jean graduated from Rufus King High School in 1956, then went on to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She worked for a number of schools in Milwaukee during her career, including Engelburg Elementary School and Hawley Road Environmental Elementary School. Along the way, Jean earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Jean also spent one year on a teacher exchange program to Hawaii, substituting in a classroom for a teacher in Hawaii who wished to teach in Wisconsin. She valued education throughout her life and created a scholarship in her own name for aspiring educators at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After retirement, Jean continued to participate in the Milwaukee Area Retired Teacher’s Association (MARTA).
In addition to teaching, Jean also enjoyed many hobbies and outside activities. She traveled the world, visiting countries like China, Japan, Thailand, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, and a number of other European countries. Jean was also a Master Gardener, enjoying many hours in her own garden and volunteering at the Wisconsin State Fair as part of the UW-Extension Master Gardener display in the Wisconsin DNR Exhibit. Jean was also an avid crafter and many of her creations won blue ribbons in the Wisconsin State Fair. Knitting and crochet were her two favorite skills. She particularly enjoyed making handmade gifts for family and friends.
Above all, Jean was a faithful and kind person. She was a lifelong member of Memorial Lutheran Church. In addition to attending Church since childhood, as an adult she served as the Superintendent of their Sunday School program for many years. Finally, Jean loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her parents, siblings, and niece and nephews. Up until her final days she loved visits from family and friends as well as newcomers in her assisted living facility. Staff at the facility regularly shared how kind and sweet she was to them and how much they enjoyed visiting with her.
Remaining to cherish Jean’s memory are her brother, Frederick Anders Hoffmann, of Glendale, Wisconsin, Niece Amy Gurka (nee Hoffmann; spouse Michael Gurka), and Nephews Christopher Hoffmann (spouse Margaret Nettesheim-Hoffmann) and Bruce Fletcher (spouse Linda Fletcher). Jean also has numerous friends from her career and outside activities to honor her memory.
Preceding Jean in death are parents Frederick Otto Hoffmann and Thelma Luella Hoffmann (nee Anderson), sister Kathleen Fletcher (nee Hoffmann), Sister-in-law Betty Jane Hoffmann (nee Kuhn; spouse Frederick A. Hoffmann), and Brother-in-law Barry Fletcher (spouse Kathleen Fletcher, nee Hoffmann).
Visitation will be held on Thursday May 8, 2025, from noon until 2:00 PM at Memorial Lutheran Church, 7701 N. Green Bay Road, Glendale, Wisconsin. Funeral/Memorial services will be held at the church on the same day at 2:00 PM and will be immediately followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall of Memorial Lutheran Church.
Memorial donations in Jean’s memory may be directed to the Jean E. Hoffmann Scholarship Fund at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
