Maria (Lessel) Hoffmann, treasured mother, grandmother and friend to so many was released from her earthly burdens on April 13th, 2024 with her daughters by her side.
Maria was born in Orscholz, Germany on October 19th, 1938. She was the youngest of three children born to Edmund and Katrina Lessel. After the passing of her father during World War 2, Maria immigrated to the United States along with her brothers and mother in 1951. Maria graduated from Central High School in 1956.
In 1957 Maria married Alois Hoffmann in Sheboygan. Al had also come to this country from Orscholz, Germany and the two were brought together by Maria’s brothers who played on Al’s soccer team. Their love story would last 49 years until her beloved Al’s passing in 2007. The two spent their early years together loving and doting on their two daughters Carla and Tamy. Residing in Sheboygan until her passing, Maria’s life was filled with love, adventures and friends.
Al and Maria, along with Maria’s brother Alphons and his wife Dorothy took a leap of faith and purchased a small tavern on the corner of 12th and Clara Avenue in 1961 – renaming the pub” Al and Al’s.” Over the next 20 years the two families would grow Al and Al’s into a well-known and successful Sheboygan bar and dining hall. Al and Al’s remained in the extended family until 2019. Maria, who often served as the hostess, made countless friends with her outgoing and joy filled personality. After retiring she still could be found every morning, having coffee at the bar and playing cribbage with her sister-in-law Dorothy and many friends.
Maria was first and foremost a Mother and Grandmother. Her daughters were blessed beyond words to know her love; and her grandchildren were her constant fuel for bragging. Maria was a true social butterfly. She adored her many friends and could usually be found playing cards, drinking a gin martini and laughing with a group of them. In her downtime Maria loved to read and knit. Almost every evening she would have either a book or knitting needles in her hands. Many family members and friends have sweaters or blankets that were made with her love. In their later years Al and Maria would enjoy winters with friends in Las Vegas, visits to Paya Lake and Grindle Lake “up north” and spending every minute possible with their grandchildren. Maria’s reunion with her beloved Al must have been a glorious one, as she missed him so deeply for so many years.
Maria is survived by her two daughters Carla (David) Vorpahl of Howards Grove and Tamy (Randy Bliss) Shaver of Sheboygan Falls; four grandchildren Makayla, McKenzie and Jakob Shaver and Evan Vorpahl; sister-in-law Dorothy Lessel; nieces Susie Patterson and Cari (Michael) Males; great nieces Katrina (Nick) Kowalski and Holly Patterson, Nicholas Males and Michael Males; and many friends who were like family to her. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Alois Hoffmann; brothers Edmund Lessel and Alphons Lessel; and nephew Paul Patterson.
Visitation for family and friends will be on Sunday, April 28th from 11:00am to 1:00pm with the service to follow at Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home. Friends and family will gather at Al and Al’s following the service for a late lunch to celebrate Maria’s wonderful life.
Maria’s family would like to thank the entire staff at Countryside Manor assisted living, the nurses with Sharon Richardson Hospice, and Susie Patterson for providing Maria with such wonderful care in the last several years of her life.
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