Helene Hoffmann

Helene E. Hoffmann, age 91, of Sheboygan, WI passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at St. Nicholas Hospital, surrounded by loved ones.
A lifelong Sheboygan resident, the former Helene E. Schwalbe was born April 9, 1925 to the late Otto and Severa (Leahy) Schwalbe. Helene attended Sheboygan schools and graduated from Central High School in 1943. An outstanding musician, Helene played the clarinet in school, church, and community bands. She also played the piano and organ, and for many years was the church organist, first at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and later at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Sheboygan.
Helene married Melvin R. Hoffmann on May 17, 1946 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and they spent 63 years together building their life and raising their children. Helene loved her family and was delighted in all of the many accomplishments, especially the musical ones, of her five children and seven grandchildren. After her youngest started school, Helene worked as a bookkeeper at K.M. Garrison Jewelers and she was the bookkeeper and office manager at The Stubenrauch Associates until her retirement. She was an active leader in various local organizations including The Valparaiso University Guild, Lyman Elementary School PTA, various church choirs, and Lutheran church bowling leagues. Helene was an avid sewer and spent countless hours sewing clothing for herself and her family and making quilts. She also sewed and donated quilt tops to St. Mark Lutheran Church for the Lutheran World Relief organization. Helene and Melvin enjoyed summers at their cottage on Sy Lake in Manitowoc County where they enjoyed fishing and hosting many memorable family gatherings. After retiring Helene became a devoted Milwaukee Brewers fan and watched every televised game.
Helene is preceded in death by her husband, Melvin R. Hoffmann and daughter, Jayne (Hoffmann) Kraegel. Also preceding Helene in death are her sisters, Margaret (Schwalbe) Bach, Ruthe (Schwalbe) Weber, her brother, Milton Schwalbe, and many loving in-laws and friends.
She is survived by son Bruce Hoffmann of Madison, WI; daughter Lisa (Hoffmann) Heerman of Suwanee, GA, grandsons Luke Heerman, of Atlanta, GA and Alexander Heerman, of Los Angeles, CA; son Andrew Hoffmann and daughter-in-law Deborah Hoffmann and granddaughters Erin and Claire Hoffmann of Oostburg, WI; and daughter Amy (Hoffmann) Krueger and son-in-law James Krueger and grandsons Sam and Max Krueger and granddaughter Margaret Krueger of Sheboygan, WI.
Memorial services for Helene will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 11:00a.m. at Ballhorn Chapels Funeral & Cremation Care Center, (1201 N. 8th Street, Sheboygan) Family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
The Helene Hoffmann family offers sincere thanks to the devoted caregivers at Comfort Keepers, Dr. Warren Brauer, and the nurses and staff on the fourth floor of St. Nicholas Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Helene's family are appreciated.