Joseph H. Hoff

Joseph H. Hoff, 81, of Jefferson, WI passed away peacefully on Friday, September 8, 2023 at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.

Joe was born on June 28, 1942 in Milwaukee the son of Alfred and Frances (Schumacher) Hoff. He grew up in the Milwaukee area, and on March 30, 1974, he was united in marriage to Patricia Weiss at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmyra.

We believe that while standing in line to board St. Peter’s nicest cruise ship, he reached the gate, stuck out his hand, and said “I’m Joe Hoff, where are you from?” Upon learning his new friend’s name was St. Peter, he immediately began calling him Pete and having a conversation as though they had long been friends. He told Pete that this was his 36th cruise since he retired, and joked that cruises were the best way to spend his kids' inheritance.  He went on to share pictures and stories of his grandkids, tell him that lawns should be cut to show perfectly straight lines that could be seen from space, and argued that kids don’t have any common sense anymore. He swore to his new friend that the majority of people don’t know how to drive, that walks and errors will kill every baseball team, that the best Italian combo sandwich was served on Gonnella bread, and professed that Lake Koshkonong created the Great Hebron Desert… followed by showing more pictures and stories of the grandkids. He told stories about the railroad, trucking, and farming, about Palmyra, Blue Spring Lake, and all things Jefferson county, and Uncle Ed and Aunt Jenny, Edgar Harris, and Reddy, Tiny, and Baldy just to get warmed up. Of course, he also wanted to know where Pete was from and about his family and life off the ship.

After some time passed, he asked his new friend Pete for a table on the top floor of the ship in the open air where he could enjoy his Grey Goose and cigars, so he could share more stories about countless people, places, and events while watching the seas flow by. It took a little time to get his table ready, and as expected, he only went when he was darn good and ready. Before parting ways, Joe asked Pete to send him a Facebook friend request and stop by his table to have a drink and cigar when his shift was over.  

In his words, making it to 81 years old was an absolute miracle, since he spent the first 60 years making decisions that should have shortened his life and the last 21 trying to prolong it. He was unapologetically himself until the very end, just as he lived the rest of his life - no one that knew him would have expected anything else. He will be missed.

He is survived by: his wife of 49 years, Patricia Hoff of Jefferson, WI; his two sons, Scott (Julie) Hoff of Eagle, WI, and Michael (Amy) Hoff of Helenville, WI; his 6 grandchildren, Alex, Abby, Matthew, Zachary, John and Delaney; his sister-in-law, Kathy Weiss of Palmyra, WI; and his sister Mary of Florida. He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, Robert and Thomas.

In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family asks that you tell a good story about Joe while raising a glass of Grey Goose or Whole Milk the next time you are with your family or friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00PM on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at the Gibson Family Funeral Home in Palmyra, WI (320 W. Main St. Palmyra, WI 53156). Visitation will take place from 1:00PM until the time of service at the funeral home. Joe will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com