Mary Lou (Connor) Hoffmann

Mary Lou (Connor) Hoffmann, age 87, of St. Peter, died surrounded by her adoring family during a beautiful, early-morning snowfall on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at River's Edge Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Peter, with Rev. Todd Petersen officiating. Visitation will be Friday, 4-7 p.m. at the Church of St. Peter, with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in St. Peter. The St. Peter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary Lou was born April 18, 1927, in St. Peter to Leon and Luella (Severson) Connor. She attended John Ireland Catholic School and graduated from St. Peter High School. On May 8, 1948, Mary Lou married Raymond "Buz" Hoffmann. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband in 1986 and by sons Thomas in 1962 and Peter in 1952. She was also preceded by her parents, as well as brother Keith Connor and wife Dodie of St. Peter; and sister Muriel (Connor) Klugherz and husband Hub of Mankato. Mary Lou is survived by eight children, 17 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, including: Barb (Hoffmann) & Denny Booren of St. Peter; Kathy (Hoffmann) & Roger Menk of Baldwin, Wi, and their children Michelle Menk, and Matthew & Laura Menk and children Lydia and Margot; Mark Hoffmann of St. Peter, and his children Monica Hoffmann, Tim & Sarah Hoffmann and son Griffin, and Meghan Hoffmann and sons Wyatt and Dawson; Ann (Hoffmann) and Chris Biehn of Mankato, and their children Jeff & Jessica Biehn and children Isaac, Evelyn, Jaime and Ryan, and Molly and Brian Becker; Monica (Hoffmann) and Ron Bresnahan of St. Peter and their children Katie, Tom, and Valerie; Patty (Hoffmann) and Brad Burley of Minneapolis and their children Patrick, Madeline, and William; John Hoffmann of St. Peter and his daughters Sarah and Nicole; Jane (Hoffmann) and Jim Tate of Kasota, and their sons Jake and Jesse. Mary Lou is also survived by sister Shirley (Connor) Felton and husband Jim of Sarasota, Fla., sister Joanne (Connor) Leupp and husband Alan of Palm Springs, Ca., and brother Tim Connor and wife Sue of St. Peter, as well as many dear nieces, nephews, and extended family and beloved friends - including the ones who cared so beautifully for her during her time at the Benedictine Living Center. A long-time community volunteer, Mary Lou was a Board Member of the St. Peter Hospital and played an important part in building the foundation for the new hospital. She received a community service award from the St. Peter Kiwanis for her various roles in community efforts - impacting so many organizations that were important to her. She was not only royalty to her family, but to her community as well. Her Irish heritage was one of many reasons she was crowned St. Peter's St. Patrick's Day Queen. The first crown she wore, however, was as St. Peter High School's Class of 1945 Homecoming Queen. Mary Lou had many hobbies and loves throughout her life, especially reading, playing Bridge, watching all sports (huge Twins fan!), and time with family and friends. She was funny, wise, and smart, always informed about world events via the daily paper and watching the news. Her Catholic faith and belief in God kept her strong; and her rosary was always close by, its beautiful beads held intently during times of crisis, worry, and most often, thankfulness. Mary Lou's most important life work was as CEO of her home and family, and she managed this great responsibility with compassion, understanding, and the deepest, most unconditional love. She listened more than she spoke, she understood and never judged, she held it all together when she could have fallen apart, and she smiled through it all - even through life's greatest challenges and losses. Together again with Buz and her boys, we know her beautiful blue Irish eyes are smiling brighter than ever.