Joyce M. Hofmann

Joyce M. Hofmann (nee Ash) passed away peacefully on Feb. 21, 2026, in Fort Myers, Fla.,  just shy of her 95th birthday.

She was born on March 14, 1931, in Chicago, Ill., the middle of three daughters, to William and Edythe Ash. The family resided in Skokie, Ill.

She graduated from Niles Township High School in Skokie in 1949. She then attended Blackburn University and Northwestern University in Illinois, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. During her teaching career, she went on to receive her master’s degree in education.

She met her husband Tom Hofmann while both were out dancing at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago in 1952. They were married on July 11, 1953, in Crown Point, Ind. Together they raised four children, Thomas Brent, Victoria Lynn, Richard Daniel and Elizabeth Anne “Buppy.”

Joyce taught lower elementary grades starting in Illinois in 1956, and then in 1970 the family moved to Wisconsin, where Joyce subsequently taught in Milwaukee Public Schools from 1970 to 1990. She taught mostly kindergarten and pre-K and was a very well respected and beloved teacher to hundreds of students over the years. She was often referred to as “Mrs. Rogers” for her joyful and innovative approach to teaching and learning. She was exceptionally proud of her teaching career.

When Joyce retired, she and Tom moved to Fort Myers, Fla., to take advantage of the warmer climate. They enjoyed many trips and cruises while living there, and Joyce continued her love of teaching by tutoring children in a reading program. She became the unofficial social director at her senior living facility, Cypress Cove. Everyone there loved her, and she was affectionately known as “Joy” there.

Joyce was a wonderful mother and grandmother and was always very loving, supportive, kind and generous. She was fun to be around and always enjoyed laughing and had a good sense of humor.

Joyce is survived by her son Tom (Caroline) Hofmann of Fort Myers, Fla., daughter Vicki (Matt) Manzeck of Belgium, Wis., and Richard (Anne) Hofmann of Stevens Point, Wis., and grandchildren Madalyn (Ben) Rennicke, Simone Manzeck, Ari Manzeck (partner Jordie Weiland), Michael Zimmer and Holden Hofmann.

She is further survived by her sister Joan Ash Buenzow of Rockford, Ill., nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Edythe Ash, her husband Thomas Hofmann, daughter Elizabeth Anne Hofmann, her sister Alison Ash Greaves and brothers-in-law Robert Greaves and James Buenzow.

Joyce was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Belgium, Wis., and later attended services at Cypress Cove in Fort Myers.

A Christian burial will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sherman Center (Random Lake). Visitation will take place from 9 to 11 a.m., with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. and committal at First Reformed Cemetery in Cedar Grove. The Rev. Christopher Gillespie will officiate.