Areva Hoffman

Areva Rebekah (Bausch) Hoffman was born February 7, 1921 in rural Pawnee County near Burchard, Nebraska. One of fifteen children of Fred and Caroline (Ulrich) Bausch, Areva attended rural school through the eighth grade and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1938.

Areva was united in marriage to Bernard Hoffman on December 25, 1944 in the Salem United Church of Christ in Steinauer, Nebraska. They made their home on Areva’s family’s farm and were blessed with three daughters: Sara, Roxanne, and Becky. In 1961 the couple moved their family to Johnson, Nebraska.

Taking care of her daughters and her home were always foremost in Areva’s priorities, but she also worked for 23 years at the Campbell’s Soup plant in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

As a member of Zion United Church of Christ in Talmage, Areva was involved with the Women’s Fellowship of the church as well as other activities. She enjoyed gardening, quilting, and fishing, which included trips to Minnesota with Bernard for the fish to be found there. Areva loved the 4th of July and especially the firecrackers that went along with it. She even taught her grandchildren how to shoot off firecrackers. In their later years together, Areva spent time caring for and entertaining her husband.

After Bernard’s passing in 1992, Areva lived at their home in Johnson as long as she was able. She moved to Ridgeview Towers in Tecumseh in 2008 and then to Belle Terrace in May of 2011. It was there she passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at the age of 92 years, 11 months, and 16 days. In addition to her husband and her parents, Areva was preceded in death by her grandson Tyson Oestmann and her 14 siblings.

Areva is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Sara and John Gilbert of Johnson; Roxanne and Jerry Oestmann of Johnson; Becky and Lee Kohrs of Lincoln; grandchildren and spouses Scott and Cheryl Gilbert, Mike and Marilyn Gilbert, Julie and Don Riggins, Katie and Mike Foster, Mindy and Royce Koehler, Angie and Troy Euse, and Amy and Christopher Anastasoff; 16 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild (and one on the way); sisters-in-law Lola Hoffman, Phyllis Hoffman, and Lucille Bausch; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be Monday, January 27, 10:30 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Talmage. Burial will follow in the Johnson Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home in Auburn Sunday noon to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 5:00 to 7:00.

Memorials are suggested to Zion United Church of Christ or the Johnson Rescue Squad.