This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: TCMitten Surnames: Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.wisconsin.counties.shawano/16804/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Arizona Daily Star, The (Tucson, AZ) - May 31, 2009 Deceased Name: HOFFMAN, Ruth Arline passed away peacefully in her home on May 26, 2009. She was 100 years old and recently attended the centenarian's party at TMC, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Ruth was born in Eland, Wisconsin to Frank and Molly Fuller, who owned a general store. Ruth's father died when she was three or four years old, and her mother took over the store and raised her with the help of Ruth's grandmother. She had two older brothers, Yale, who died in infancy, and Reed, who moved to Tucson before Ruth, and died in 1954. Ruth attended grammar school in a two room schoolhouse. Ruth and Reed had a long walk to high school along train tracks, and sometimes the workers gave them rides on the trains. Ruth learned to drive at age 11 and drove for over 80 years. She attended Milwaukee's Teachers College, where she was known as "Shrimp Fuller" and "Rufus." While in college Ruth's mother sent her lunch money, but she spent the money on dance lessons at the Lucille Stod! dart School of Dancing. After graduation she taught kindergarten in Wisconsin. During WWII she followed her mother and brother Reed to Tucson, where she worked as a secretary for her future husband, Major James Hoffman. They married in 1953 and moved with Ruth's mother to her current home. Ruth loved children but had none of her own, so instead she lavished her love and affection on the three children who lived next door to her before she married, becoming their "fairy godmother." She also was devoted to her husband's family, especially her goddaughter Beth Heus of Solon, Ohio. Ruth was an animal lover, owning a succession of dogs and in the last two years was adopted by a cat, which was a total mystery to Ruth. In Tucson, Ruth worked for TUSD as a librarian, and volunteered for El Dorado Hospital for ten years. Her favorite pastime, however, was shopping. She especially like buying things for children, and even shopped at Macy's the week she turned 100. Ruth was preceded i! n death by her husband in 1990. She will be sorely missed by her "fair y godchildren," Jon Hurst, Margaret Hurst Lacey, Julianne Hurst-Williams, and their mother, Ruth's best friend, Coby Hurst. She will also be missed by her goddaughter Beth Heus and all the Hoffmans. The Hurst Family is forever indebted to the wonderful support team at Valor Hospice, especially Erin, Leticia and Cynthia, as well as Patricia from Aristocare. In keeping with Ruth's wishes there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers Ruth would have like you to make a donation to her favorite charities St. Jude's Hospital for Children (www.stjude.org); or Tucson's Gospel Rescue Mission (www.grmtucson.com). Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.