Phyllis Elaine Hoffman, the daughter of Herman and Margaret (Porsch) Schmidt, was born March 27,
1947, in Carroll, Iowa and died October 9, 2022, in an automobile accident in Exira, Iowa at the age of 75
years, 6 months, and 12 days.
Phyllis was baptized and confirmed at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon, Iowa. She
attended rural Audubon County schools then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of
1965. She did clerical work for a short time then on April 4, 1966, she enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps.
During her tour of duty, she served stateside and was a basic supply specialist. Phyllis was stationed in
California.
On October 20, 1967, she was united in marriage to Thomas George Hoffman at the Holy Spirit Catholic
Church in Carroll, Iowa while she was on leave from the service. Phyllis was honorably discharged on
March 6, 1968. They purchased a farm south of Elk Horn, Iowa in 1969. Phyllis helped Tom operate the
farm where they did custom hay grinding and custom farming for area farmers. Over the years they were
blessed with four children Jerry, Steve, Brian, and Jen. Along with helping Tom operate their farm she was
raising the children. When the children were older, she was employed as a waitress at the Danish Inn in Elk
Horn for a number of years. They sold the farm in 1989 and purchased an acreage outside of Walnut, Iowa
Phyllis became a Certified Nurses Aide and worked at the Salem Home in Elk Horn for many years and
later did home health care until she retired. Tom died May 28, 2015. Phyllis lived on the acreage for a while
then moved to Exira, Iowa.
Phyllis had been a member of several Lutheran Churches in the area the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk
Horn, Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Walnut, and most recently, the Exira Christian Church. She was a
member of the Walnut American Legion, Post 422. Phyllis enjoyed fishing and their many trips to fish in
Minnesota and dancing with Tom. She had a love for gardening and taking care of and decorating their yard
at the farm and enjoyed and loved the many dogs and cats throughout her life. Watching Wheel of Fortune
was also a joy of hers and an absolute must at 6:30 every evening. But her passion was care giving and
spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Preceding her in death was her husband Thomas “Tom” Hoffman; her parents; her brothers-in-law and
sister-in-law Roger Barten, Pat and husband Alvin Lengeman, and Daryl Rowedder.
Survivors include her children Jerry and wife Robin Hoffman of Elk Horn, Iowa, Steve Hoffman of
Granville, Iowa, Brian Hoffman of Exira, Iowa, and Jen and husband Jeff Boelter of Schleswig, Iowa; her
Grandchildren Kristen Hoffman of Creston, Iowa, Jordan Hoffman of Sioux Center, Iowa, Kelsi Hoffman of
Council Bluffs, Iowa, Nick Hoffman and Austin Hoffman both of Orange City, Iowa, Carter Hoffman of
Superior, Wisconsin, Kenzie Hoffman of Phoenix, Arizona, Josh Boelter of Vermillion, South Dakota, and
Jake Boelter of Wayne, Nebraska; her great grandchildren James, Owen, Skylar, and Bentley; her sister
JoAnn Barten of Audubon, Iowa; her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Lou Meister of Hubbard, Iowa, Bev
Rowedder of Manning, Iowa, and Cliff and wife Diane Hoffman of Carroll, Iowa; nieces, nephews other
relatives and many friends.
The family will greet friends Friday evening, October 14, 2022, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the
Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on
Saturday morning, October 15, 2022 at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. Interment
will be in the Layton Township Cemetery near Walnut, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers will be Kristen
Hoffman, Kelsi Hoffman, and Kenzie Hoffman. The casket bearers will be Jordan Hoffman, Nick Hoffman,
Austin Hoffman, Carter Hoffman, Josh Boelter, and Jake Boelter.
Friday, October 14, 2022
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Kessler Funeral Homes, Inc. - Exira
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)
Exira Lutheran Church
Visits: 10
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors