JoAnn Hoff was born June 24, 1935, in Seward, to Dr. James W. and Grace (Cain) Carr and passed away peacefully March 12, 2025, in Seward, at the age of 89 years, 8 months and 16 days.
JoAnn grew up in Seward and graduated from Seward High School with the Class of 1953. Following high school, she spent two years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she was a member of KAT sorority. She later transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where she obtained her Bachelor of Nursing degree.
On Sept. 6, 1958, JoAnn was united in marriage to Dr. Paul Hoff, and to this union, three daughters were born: Janie, Julie and Linde. In 1975, JoAnn convinced her husband to take the family to Nicaragua for a medical mission trip to remind their girls of how lucky they were to live in this nation. JoAnn opened an antique shop in Ennis, Montana, for 24 years, operating it only during the summer.
She was very involved in her community through the years and was deeply dedicated to serving others. She taught Sunday School, Campfire Girls and was also a member of the original founding board of the Seward Foundation. She founded Meals on Wheels with her good friend, Jane Jones, which is still operating today 50+ years later. She started the hospice program in Seward, that was later taken over by Tabitha after her husband retired. She also founded the Women’s RAK Group.
JoAnn was a long-time member of P.E.O. Chapter CC as well as a member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder twice. She was honored to receive the “Service Above Self” Award in 2023 from the Seward Rotary Club.
JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors cherishing her memory include her husband of 67 years, Dr. Paul Hoff, Seward; daughters and their spouses, Janie (Curt) Frueh, Julie (Klaus) Weisenberger, Linde (Charles) Ellis; grandchildren, Hanna Weisenberger (fiancé, Evan Hughes), Emma Weisenberger, Sarah (Dylan) George, Andrew Frueh; great-grandchildren, Mary, Grace and Beau George; brothers and sister-in-law, Jim and Marilyn Carr; nieces and nephew, Carrye, Jennifer and Tom; special caregiver friends, Missy and Kim; and of course her coffee group (you know who you are).
A memorial service will be Tuesday, March 18, at 11 a.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church in Seward.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Seward Wellness Center.
Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
