Frederick Anders Hoffmann
(82 years old)
On June 15, 2026, Frederick Anders Hoffmann (age 82) went to heaven to be reunited with the love of his life, Betty Jane Hoffmann (nee Kuhn). Their story began in their Church in 1968 when Betty overheard Fred berating an unruly Sunday School student and told him that he would make a lousy father. Apparently undeterred, Fred still asked her out and they were married one year later.
Fred grew up in Milwaukee with his parents, Thelma Hoffmann (nee Anderson) and Frederick O Hoffmann, and his two sisters, Kathleen Fletcher (nee Hoffmann) and Jean Hoffmann. Numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins were also in close contact with Fred and his family throughout his life. He made lifelong friends in a group of men who all participated in a monthly sheepshead card club and made many other friends wherever he went. Anyone who knew Fred described him as one of the kindest, most generous people around. It isn't often that such a gentle soul comes into people's lives. Everyone who knew and loved Fred was truly blessed. To quote a friend offering condolences on social media, "The world needs more Fred Hoffmanns in it.".
Fred graduated from Rufus King High School in 1962. He started work at Johnson's Service Company after realizing that a traditional college education wasn't the best fit for his skill set and eventually returned to the Milwaukee Institute of technology (now MATC) to earn two associate's degrees. This set him up to join his father as a bench jeweler/goldsmith, which became his lifelong vocation. Fred was a hardworking husband and father, often putting in late hours six days per week at his jewelry repair shop that he purchased from his father in the 1980s after his father retired. He took incredible pride in his shop, F and B Hoffmann Jewelers, that remained a fixture on the 5th floor of the Plankinton Building in downtown Milwaukee for many decades. Fred eventually retired after Betty's increasing health issues required that he be home to take care of her needs. True to his kind nature, Fred still helped out friends and family with jewelry needs well after his retirement until arthritis forced his full retirement.
Fred was an avid sport's fan throughout his life. While in high school Fred attempted to participate in numerous sports but eventually earned his varsity letter as a manager of both the men's basketball and track teams. Although he wasn't overly athletically inclined, he loved sports and participated in any way he could for most of his life. There are many fond memories of his participation on church softball teams, managing little league for his son, and in numerous individual and couples bowling leagues and tournaments. Outside of his family, bowling was Fred's true passion. He used to practice his bowling release on the sofa at home with pillows piled up at the end to stop the ball from rolling off, breaking things, and angering Betty. While doing this, the sounds of the PBA Tour could frequently be heard on the TV in the background. It is no surprise that Fred made friends with professional bowlers during visits to the PBA Tour in Green Bay. When bowling wasn't on, Fred could be found watching the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and just about any other sports team he could find.
Above all, Fred dedicated his life to loving his family. He made time to participate in Cub Scouts activities, to take the family on outings to the Wisconsin State Fair, the Milwaukee Zoo, Door County, Green Bay, and Niagara Falls, to teach his two children how to drive, to help his wife and extended family with whatever was needed, and to celebrate in all of his family's accomplishments and activities. He also remained active in Church as a Sunday School Teacher, Vice President of the Congregation for one year in the 1980s, and participant in various Church-directed shows. His willingness to wear a silly bee costume for a Church production is a testament to his dedication.
Remaining to cherish Fred's memory are his daughter, Amy Gurka (nee Hoffmann; Spouse Michael Gurka), his son Christopher Hoffmann (spouse Margaret Nettesheim-Hoffmann), his granddaughter, Mary Gurka, his niece Jamie Kuhn, and Nephews Bruce Fletcher (spouse Linda Fletcher) and Jim Zimmermann (spouse Rhonda Mae Zimmermann). Fred also has numerous friends and extended family to honor his memory.
Preceding Fred in death are his wife Betty Hoffmann, Parents Frederick O Hoffmann and Thelma Hoffmann, Mother- and Father-in-Law Mary Kuhn (nee Daily) and Emanuel Kuhn, Sister Kathleen Fletcher, Sister Jean Hoffmann, Brothers-in-Law Barry Fletcher (spouse Kathleen Fletcher), James Kuhn (spouse Susan Kuhn, nee Federer), Fred Zimmermann (spouse Patricia Zimmermann, nee Kuhn) and Marvin Ladely (Spouse Mary Ladely, nee Kuhn), and Sisters-In-Law Susan Kuhn, Mary Ladely, and Patricia Zimmermann. There are also many other relatives and friends of both Betty and Fred who are no longer with us that shared a part of their life together.
Visitation will be held on Saturday June 27, 2026, from 10:00 until noon 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 12:00 PM and will be immediately followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall of Memorial Lutheran Church.
Memorial donations in Fred's memory may be directed to the Wisconsin Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org.. Visitation Saturday, June 27, 2026 10:00 AM - Noon Memorial Lutheran Church 7701 N. Green Bay Ave. Glendale, WI 53209 Phone: (414) 352-1160 Memorial Service.