Marianne P. Hoffman (nee Paape) of Monroe, passed away peacefully surrounded by her adopted family on November 8, 2023. She was born August 19, 1939 in Berlin, Germany, daughter of Heinz and Wanda Franziska (Baganz) Paape and the loving wife of the late Waldemar (Wally) Hoffman. She is predeceased by one of her brothers.
Marianne grew up in Berlin, Germany during the Second World War. Hitler’s reign and the impacts of the War had several effects on her family. Despite these devastating times, her proficiencies and skills allowed her to complete an apprenticeship in trade school and received her Journeyman Paper as a draft person. Her love for singing and piano lead her to applying to The Conservatory of Berlin. At the age of 20 she recommitted her life to Jesus, fleeing Hitler’s power and becoming a refugee in West Berlin. Marianne believed that God planned to grant her many blessings and she followed the Lord’s plan for her.
Marianne met Waldemar at church and it was not long before they married. They married on June 7, 1963. Due to the inability to adopt children in Germany, the couple decided to come to America with the understanding that the adoption system was better. On April 4, 1965, Wally and Marianne landed at O’Hare Airport in Chicago and started a new life in America becoming citizens of the United States in 1975. Marianne worked at Duo Fast Corp as a Mechanical Engineer designing stapler-making equipment and nail guns for about 30 years. In the fall of 1989, Marianne met John and Jan Burke, missionaries from Venezuela and they became lifelong adopted family.
She is survived by her sister Franzie and many nieces and nephews in Germany and her adopted family David and Melody (Burke) Carvajal, and Maria Burke. Marianne was “Tante” to Brock Carvajal. The family wishes to thank the wonderful caring team at Agrace Hospice in Janesville.
Private family graveside services will be held in Grandview Cemetery, Cedarville, IL. For those who prefer, memorials can be directed to Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, to help with funeral expenses. Online condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Ruhe in Frieden
