Vivian Hoff

HOFF
Vivian Virginia (nee Boehm)
Age 89
Formerly of St. Paul
Died peacefully on February 9, 2015 at Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home. Vivian was born in Duluth, MN, on September 7, 1925, the eldest of three children of Edward Daniel Boehm and Virginia Grace Neher Boehm. Vivian graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1943, Duluth State Teachers College (Home Economics Education BS) in 1947, and the University of Minnesota, with a Masters in Home Economics in 1973. From 1947-1949 she taught home economics in Lamberton, MN and later from 1949-1950 in Worthington, MN where she met Conrad Antoney Hoff, son of Ludvik Bernard Hoff and Ida Mathilda Strand Hoff of Mankato, MN. They were married in Duluth, MN on April 5, 1950. Conrad and Vivian moved to St. Paul, MN and both worked for the St. Paul Public Schools; he at Johnson High and she as a sewing instructor in home economics for the evening Adult Education Department and later full time as a home economics teacher and on-the-job training instructor. Vivian loved all things which required a "needle and thread" and was an accomplished seamstress. From 1961-1963 she shared her love for sewing with other housewives as the hostess on "Tea at Three" with Vivian Hoff which aired on KTCA-TV Channel 2 for the St. Paul Public Schools. She was active in the Twin Cities Home Economics Society, Needle Work Guild and American Sewing Guild. Vivian was selected as Mrs. Minnesota runner up in 1964.
Vivian was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for 65 years and served twice as president of the Lutheran Church Women's group. She adopted Conrad's Norwegian heritage as a lifetime member of Sons of Norway and Nordman's Forbundant; and an honorary member of Norske Torske Klubben, for which Conrad was President for many years. For family gatherings she cooked the lutefisk! In 1982 she embraced retirement, studying and teaching Tai Chi and Feng Shu and established the Ruby Amethyst Red Hat Society chapter in Eagan, MN. She quilted; knit prayer shawls; designed and constructed cloth dolls; beaded hat pins and purses; stitched Japanese Sashiko and Norwegian Hardanger; and perfected Norwegian rosemaling decorative arts. Vivian was a Lady-in-Waiting for the St. Paul Winter Carnival Senior Royalty in 1996. Vivian was a world traveler and made many trips to Japan (and Korea and China) and California to visit her sons' families, Wyoming to quilt with friends, and to Germany (the home of their ancestors) with her daughter Julie and later with a friend. Vivian lived a full and productive life sharing her talents and friendship with others for many years. She will be deeply missed by her children and their families.
The family wishes to thank the caring and compassionate hospice staff members of Fairview Hospice and Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home who provided comfort in her final days and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for spiritual care. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Conrad Antoney Hoff, parents and siblings. Survived by her sons, Paul (Naomi Iwasaki) of Izu, Japan and Peter (Cecilia) of Desert Hot Springs, CA; daughters Julie Hoff (Douglas Lobdell) of Eden Prairie, MN, Nancy (George) Bassett of White Bear Lake, MN and Sally (Roger) Plath of Vadnais Heights, MN; her many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and dear niece Stephanie Smith Pledger of Chafee, MO. Funeral service Friday, February 13, 2015 at 9:30 AM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 S. Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN; visitation at 9:00 AM. Private interment of Vivian and Conrad will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.