Francis Eugene Hoffman was born in Smith Center, Kansas on June 30, 1936, the first of four children of Clyde and Rosella (Lammey) Hoffman. He departed this life on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at the Heritage Care Center in Red Cloud, Nebraska at the age of 82 years, 7 months and 16 days. Francis met Ellen while working on the Harlan County Dam irrigation system.
Ellen was working at a café in Kensington, Kansas as a waitress where Francis ate most evenings. Soon Francis and Ellen began dating and within a year on December 21, 1957, prior to Francis’s transfer to Superior, Nebraska. Within two years their first child, Dennis, was born.
Two years later a second son, Steven, was born. At this time their growing family were on the move to Lincoln, Nebraska where Francis had taken a position with Ready-Mix Concrete. Fast forward two more years and their third son, Gary, arrived.
Francis continued to work at Ready-Mix Concrete until he retired at the age of 62. Francis retired as the manager of three concrete plants all located in Lincoln. He believed in leading by example and never missed a day’s work due to weather or sickness.
Francis’ joys included woodworking projects, vehicle restorations, camping with friends and family and travel whenever possible. The travel bug bit Francis at a young age when he drove his grandfather to Idaho in an old Studebaker before he even had his driver’s license (or permit). Upon retirement Francis and Ellen moved to Red Cloud, Nebraska to be closer to his ailing parents.
But even in retirement he rose each day before 6:00 a.m. to enjoy coffee and stories with friends old and new. After the passing of hid parents, they returned to Lincoln to be closer to Dennis and Gary and their families. When the time came to move into a nursing facility, they chose to return to the same facility his parents resided at prior to their passing.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Lloyd. He is survived by his wife, Ellen, of Red Cloud; three sons, eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sisters, Janice and Cheryl; sister-in-law, Patty; other relatives and a host of friends. Francis loved life, loved his family loved his career and retirement.
He lived a full rich life. We will miss him greatly. Services will be Thursday, 2:00 p.m., February 21, 2019 at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud with Pastor Gary Bennett officiating.
Interment will be at the Red Cloud Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to service time.
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