Joanne “Jo” Mary Hoffman (Meyer), age 93, passed away on September 6, 2026. She was born July 21, 1933, to Robert and Maude (Burbie) Meyer in Newberry, MI. She graduated from Wausau High School in 1951 and attended Prospect Hall in Milwaukee where she earned an executive secretary degree. On Aug 12, 1954, Joanne married her junior high school classmate and sweetheart Ronald “Ron” Hoffman in Wausau, WI. They had four children.

Prior to becoming a mother, Jo worked at an executive secretary for various corporations. After spending years corralling her four growing children, Jo functioned as the office manager in the family business, Hoffman Drug Store. Jo was a faithful care partner in her home to her mother Maude for 32 years. In addition, she was a confidant and friend to many others making everyone who entered her world and her home feel special.

Music was a huge part of Jo’s life. She and Ron belonged to many local dance clubs, serving as officers in most of them. Jo loved anything that involved tapping her toes! Never one to be sedentary, she enjoyed golfing and traveling. She and Ron had many adventures to the Caribbean as well as many wonderful locations in Europe. Jo also collected cookbooks, and every overseas adventure resulted in a new addition to her cookbook collection. You could always find her in her “second home,” the kitchen cooking for somebody, thus being known as “G’ma in the kitchen!”

Entertaining and home care was a wonderful focus and joy for Jo. She loved to plan and entertain. She was an especially gifted cook, who had a thanksgiving dressing to “die for,” wonderful cottage cheese pancakes and chopped liver. She had a natural gift for interior design and that skill served her well in her entertaining forays. Presentation was important and she spent time to make sure every detail was perfected.

Ron remembers many (many) adventurous shopping trips with Jo. More often than not, they arrived back at home with something they certainly did not need. Jo believed in never returning home empty handed.

Holidays were truly something to be celebrated in the Hoffman household. Joanne always made sure every element was as perfect as it could be. In later years, once the children were grown, she relished in holiday cocktail hours with a drink or two and a masterful buffet to share. She really was a cocktail party queen.

Most of all, Jo was a champion for her husband, Ron, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved each of them unconditionally. Joanne celebrated their achievements, accomplishments, awards and their gifts. She was ever encouraging the best for her family.

Joanne is survived by her husband Ron, children: Cathy (Gene) Hoffman Reedy, Appleton, Scott (Lannie) Hoffman, Raleigh, NC, Craig (Lisa) Hoffman, Appleton, Christopher (Lisa) Hoffman, Palmetto, FL; grandchildren: Eli Manthey, Taylor Hoffman, Jordan Hoffman, Spencer Hoffman, Ryan Hoffman, Cole Hoffman, Savannah Hoffman, Sydney Hoffman, Jaden Hoffman, Ryder Hoffman; great grandchildren: Kalei, Lex, Maeve, Barrett, as well as a future great granddaughter on the way.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her only brother Robert Meyer.

A celebration gathering will take place at 11:00am on Saturday October 10, 2026, at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N Superior Street, Appleton. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 10:00am until the celebration service begins.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Fox Valley Memory Project in Joanne’s name.

The Hoffman family would like to give a special thank you to: the ThedaCare at Home Hospice team, Cherry Meadows Hospice and Touchmark’s Devonshire Neighborhood, Senior Stride, Home Instead for their relentless care and compassion given to both Joanne and our family.