Rosemary Hoffman

Rosemary Theresa Hoffman, 80, of Lemmon, South Dakota, passed away on October 28, 2022, at Western Horizon Care Center in Hettinger, North Dakota. “Rosie” Ruhoff, daughter of the late Henry and Florence (Hinker) Ruhoff, was born December 14, 1941, in Lemmon, South Dakota. Growing up on the family farm near Watauga, South Dakota, with brothers John and Ralph Ruhoff, Rosemary proved herself tough, resilient, and determined.

After attending Lemmon High School, Rosemary eloped with the love of her life, Allen Hoffman, on February 1st, 1960, in Baker, Montana. Thereafter, Rosemary and Allen moved to Winslow, Arizona where two of their four children, Mike, and then Terry, were born. In 1965 the family moved back to Lemmon where Brian, and then Shari were born. During these years, Rosemary’s excellent home-style cooking graced the Lemmon Livestock Café where she made a host of lifelong friends.

In 1978 the Hoffman family moved to Pringle, South Dakota where they owned and operated the Needle’s View tavern. In 1988 they moved to Sheridan, Wyoming, until 2000 when Allen retired from the BNSF Railroad. Thereafter, Rosemary and Allen enjoyed being snowbirds, traveling to Yuma, Arizona, in the winter and enjoying the summers back home in Lemmon, South Dakota.

Rosemary loved to laugh, play cards and Bingo. A natural gardener, she canned the best beets in the world! She loved doing arts and crafts and listening to Polka and folk music. She loved her dogs, Mutt, and Jeff. Her favorite color was purple. She was beautiful inside, and out.

Rosemary is survived by her husband Allen Hoffman of Lemmon, South Dakota, and her children Mike (Melissa) Hoffman of Sturgis, South Dakota; Terry (Cindy) Hoffman and Brian Hoffman of Lemmon, South Dakota; and Shari Hoffman Palmer of Douglas, Wyoming. Grand children: Sarah Feehan, Taylor Gourley, Kathryn Gourley; Brett (Alyssa) Bieber, Tara Hoffman, Taylor (Cody) Clutter; Kayla Heafs; Danny (Tiffany) Palmer, and Shelby Palmer; nine great grandchildren, and big brother John Ruhoff. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Ralph Ruhoff.

Funeral Services for Rosemary will be held at the Calvary Lutheran Church at 303 Second Avenue in Lemmon, South Dakota at 11:00 am on November 19, 2022. Fellowship and a luncheon will follow the church service. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Rosemary’s memory to an organization she lovingly supported, www.blessingsinabackpack.org.