There to greet her were family and friends who had gone before her, including her husband, Henry (Hendrick Jan) Hofman; an infant daughter; and her daughter, Henrietta Griffin.
She was proud of her Dutch and Friesian heritage, and would often participate in the Dutch Heritage Days in Hudsonville, MI. As a youth “Mina” as she sometimes was called in “the old country” was very active. She shared how she played basketball at school and had fun with friends kicking off their wooden shoes to see who could make theirs fly the farthest. A young teen during World War II, she lived under the restrictions of an occupied country. For a time after the war, she worked for a local doctor and his family. It was hard work, helping her to appreciate modern conveniences like washing machines after coming to the United States.
Family was a great love of hers, keeping contact with those who stayed in the Netherlands or had emigrated to the U.S. and Australia. She had a depth of love and acceptance for every person who came to her home so that you knew her as your friend, your mom, your grandma- even if you weren’t actually related. With 8 children, Minnie was not afraid of hard work but also loved deeply. She helped with the building of their 3 different homes, pushed wheelbarrows of wet cement, and proudly learned to run a lathe for precise machine parts in Henry’s shops. She enjoyed reading, growing flowers, gardening, and making the best-ever split pea soup.
She is survived by her children, Dena Hofman, Tena (James) Hop, Rhea (Raymond) Pruett, Joanne (David) Meeuwsen, John (Julie) Hofman, Nancy (Thomas) Goodrow, and William (Dawn) Hofman; over 20 grandchildren; and over 20 great-grandchildren.
Visitation with the family will be 4:00-7:00 pm on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St. Zeeland, MI 49464.
Funeral services are at 11:00 am on Friday, March 10, 2023, at North Blendon Reformed Church, 7224 Taylor St. Hudsonville, MI 49426.
Burial to take place in Blendon Township Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Minnie’s honor may be given to North Blendon Reformed Church, Love Inc., or any pro-life organization.
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