Emma Viola Hoffmann

June 21, 1927 – January 4, 2022

Emma Viola Hoffmann passed away peacefully at her home at Aegis of Shoreline, Washington, at the age of 94.

Emma was born in Vandana, Montana being child number nine of seven girls and three boys.

During the school year she would live with a family in town and would rise early each morning to build two fires in the two-room schoolhouse. The school had an old piano where she taught herself to play. She had time to practice while attending to the fires. Soon she was riding with the pastor in his old car to play for two churches each week. She once confided to her mother that she did not play all that well; to which her mother replied: "If someone complains; let them move to the bench and play instead."

Emma graduated from high school as the valedictorian and received a scholarship to attend nursing school. After completing her degree, she moved to Great Falls, Montana and began working at the local hospital.

She met her future husband, Elmer, at church in Great Falls, Montana and they were married there on June 17, 1950. This was actually their second meeting. In 1928, Elmer's family moved from South Dakota to Montana staying briefly with grandparents who were neighbors of Emma's family. Emma and Elmer were infants then and ended up sharing the same crib. In 1952, they moved to Seattle with baby Richard in tow where Elmer would find work as a data processor. Mom stayed home raising Richard, Kathy and Ed until she returned to work at a nearby nursing home in 1969. She continued to play for church for 60 years. Every Saturday she made cinnamon rolls so the family could have an easy breakfast Sunday morning before church and Sunday School.

Emma was a quiet leader. Over the years she would be the treasurer, secretary or president of the Lutheran Woman's Missionary League at her church. Emma and Kathy would play and direct the adult and children's choirs at church for many years. She often volunteered at Concordia Lutheran School where her three children attended. She spent time as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader.

Music, church and family were Emma's "hobbies". There was a piano and organ at home. One song she often played was "Elmer's Tune". Emma and Elmer enjoyed friends from church and often got together for an evening of laughter and playing cards.

Kathy fondly remembers having morning coffee with Mom. Emma sometimes worked nights and would come home and wake Kathy up for high school. Emma had great stories to share about life at the "old folks” home.

Emma is survived by her daughter Katherine Lawson, son Ed (Kate Noonan), daughter-in-law Diane Hoffmann, along with five grandchildren (Ben, Ian, Heather, Matt and Amanda) and five great grandchildren (Elex, Grae, Annabelle, Makaylah and David).

A Memorial Service for Emma will be held 10:30am May 21, 2022 at,

Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 12509 27th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125

Lunch following

(COVID restrictions and weather permitting)

The service will also be live-streamed. Details to be posted on www.lambofgodseattle.org ahead of the service

In lieu of flowers or gifts, remembrances can be made in Elmer & Emma’s honor to:

Concordia Lutheran School, 7040 36th Ave NE Seattle, WA 98115

Or online at concordiaseattle.com/donate Tax ID: 91-6007722