On Saturday, January 2, 2021, Lyle Wayne Hoffman met Jesus face to face. Funeral services will be held at Community Bible Church, 100 Fieldcrest Drive, Stratford, WI, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Visitation begins at 12:30 p.m.; service at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Bill Nesbitt officiating. The service will be streamed online at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes.
Lyle was born March 27, 1936 to Herman and Lida (Hagen) Hoffman. The youngest of 13 children, Lyle carried rich memories of his siblings and Gust cousins on the family farm by Bradley Bridge, east of Stratford. In 1948, the family moved to Abbostford and in the late 50’s, Lyle proudly joined the United States Marines with his best friend Kenny Pollack of Abbotsford. On his return to Wisconsin, he fell in love with Marlene Waniger from Colby; they were married for 60 years.
Lyle and Marlene farmed north of Stratford, and he was a mechanic (working for Mid-state Truck Service and Kuyoth Repair) and drove semi (most recently for Melvin Companies and Abbyland). He was also a well-loved school bus driver.
In the late 70’s, the Hoffman boys started boxing, and Lyle was privileged to eventually coach and encourage his sons and other young people from central Wisconsin. He cherished the relationships he made through the sport, and was honored to receive the Del Bluhm Memorial Award.
He was outgoing, a smart aleck, and a tease, and his kids knew with certainty that he loved them.
And while all the above summarizes Lyle’s life, it was his relationship with Jesus that defined who he was. Convicted that “the wages of sin is death” and that he was lost and on his way to hell, Lyle received Christ as his Savior when he was 33 years old. Believing that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,” Lyle found peace through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. He was thankful for his brother Henry, Donald Huffmeier, and Delbert Fisher for pointing him to Christ. After trusting Christ, Lyle and his family were involved at Calvary Bible in Marshfield and Community Bible in Stratford, and made many lifelong friends.
Lyle was loved and will be missed by 5 children: Kerry of Stratford; Scott (Kim) of Phillips, WI; Lyle (Sandy Lemmer-Matz) of Edgar, WI; Tammy Stalcup (Ron) of Beloit, WI; and Donald (Valerie) of Stratford; 18 grandchildren: Adrienne, Jayna, Haley, Ana, Louisa, Lindsey, Adam (Christi), Joanna, Charity, Levi (Devrah), Lydia, Silas, Ruthie, Chloe, Joy, Parker, Olivia, and Billie; and 4 great-grandchildren: Mark, Elijah, Nigel, and Darbee. He is survived by his sister, Lenora Leffel of Stratford, and sisters-in-law Gloria Hoffman, Karen (Leonard) Riehle, and Debra Framke.
Lyle was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene; his infant son, Danny; 6 brothers (Elmer, Henry, Clarence, Harold, Arnold, and Herman); 5 sisters (Hermina, Mabel, Linda, Lorraine, and Arlene), and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law. The family thanks the staff of Rembs Funeral Home for their help in Lyle’s final remembrance. We also thank Wanda Rose and Dave Slusar for taking such good care of Lyle these past several months, and Karen Repking and Ethan for their friendship, too.
Author: News Desk
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