May 26, 1934 - August 25, 2023
Dorothy Mae Hoffman, 89, of Richfield, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2023. She was born on May 26, 1934, in Madison, Minnesota, to Clifford and Julia Nesvold Jacobson. Following graduation from high school in Madison, Dorothy began college studies at St. Olaf College. She studied Education at the University of Minnesota, Mankato. Dorothy then taught at Shirley Hills Elementary School for two years and then for several more years for the school district of St. Louis Park. Once she and Oliver had children, she focused on family life; when the children were older, she became certified as a Special Education Teacher, and taught in the Richfield public schools. She was a member of Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis since 1960. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Oliver: they grew up together, were best friends and were married 57 years. She was preceded in death by her brother, Gordon of Escondido, California, and sister, Jean of Mankato. She is survived by her children, Ellen Belk of Allen, Texas, Paul Hoffman of Golden Valley, and Lisa Upchurch of Tacoma, Washington, seven grandchildren, and many other relatives. Dorothy was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend to all. The family will receive relatives and friends on October 5th at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 8400 France Avenue S, Bloomington, Minnesota, 55431: 1:00PM visitation, 2:00PM service, 3:00PM Celebration of Life with refreshments. The service will also be streamed. Please click here to watch the livestream.
Memorial donations may be made in Dorothy’s name to the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation, 117 E. Louisa Street, #443, Seattle, WA 98102, nwsarcoma.org.
Dorothy will never be forgotten as she will always be in our hearts. I am proud she is my aunt and I never once heard her complain about anything or anyone. She has a heart of gold and an inspiration to countless people.
I have the great Good Fortune to know her and Ollie. She’s a lovely beautiful spirit. I miss them both.
Elizabeth
Dot was a wonderful aunt to me as far back as I can remember. She cared with a generous heart and could find fun in every situation. I am thankful she was in my life!
Joann and I did not learn of Dorothy’s death until December. We had been friends since 1973 and enjoyed visiting Dorothy when we traveled to Minnesota to visit our daughter and her family. We will miss those opportunities to talk in Bachman’s restaurant. Dorothy and Ollie were indeed gentle souls and good friends. We will miss our long friendship with both. As Ollie said before he passed, “We will meet again” and we will.
Dot was one of the kindest people I have ever known. She also was such a steadfast and dear friend to my mom (and dad) for most of her life–and even when Dot was going through her own significant health challenges last year, she still made it a priority to come visit my mom several times while mom was in hospice. I also was incredibly touched at how she made an effort to visit me and my family several times here in rural Washington, which I know was an effort to do. She always seemed to have a smile on her face and a kind word and had that special ability to make other people feel like they matter. I was blessed to have known her!
Dot was an absolutely beautiful person. She and Ollie were wonderful friends of my folks, Larry and Verone, and wrote letters filled with Bridge and Central memories to my Dad during Covid and visited when she could. I am so sorry I was not at her service, I did not know she’d passed away til now.