She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Dick” Hoffmann, and parents, Knight and Myrtle Vivian.
She is survived by stepdaughters, Molly Stearns (Jim), Debra Hoffmann (Wiley Sharp), six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, and other family.
Joan was born July 27, 1938, in Minneapolis, where she graduated from West High School. Joan attended Colorado College and the University of Minnesota, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. Joan taught in the Minneapolis Public Schools, worked in administration for the Minneapolis College of Art & Design and later Faegre & Benson Law Firm, and culminated her career at the Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research at the University of Minnesota. Joan enjoyed the arts, travel, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
A celebration of Joan’s life will take place April 17, 2026, at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis. Visitation begins at 9:30 am with a memorial service at 10:30 am followed by refreshments.
Memorials to the Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church Foundation, the University of Minnesota Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association are preferred.
