White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Bernadine May Hoffman waved goodbye to her family and friends on July 14, 2017.  She had spent over 93 years on this earth giving love, friendship, caring, help to those who needed it, and a welcoming smile to all.  She was a vibrant lady who had a passion for gardening and a skill for growing anything.  Over the last few months, she struggled with pain that kept her from enjoying the life she loved.  God has now welcomed her and as she often talked about looking forward to, is once again with her husband of 62 years.

Bernadine was born May 31, 1924, in a house in Independence, IA, just ahead of a twin sister, Bernadette.  Her parents were Ira John and Grace Imogene (Brown) Clue.  When she was only 9 years old her mother died.  A year or so later, she gained a new mother and friend, Marge (Deyo) Clue.  As she progressed through school, she was encouraged to drop out after 8^th grade, as “girls did not need an education.”  She fought this idea and graduated from Independence High School in 1942.  She loved sports, especially softball and also became a champion bowler.  She later enjoyed following kids, grandkids, and great grandkids in their activities.

On April 6, 1945, she married a farm boy, from the Littleton area, named Warren G. Hoffman.  While hard work and raising a family was their priorities, they found time to become great square dancers.  This activity created many family activities with these friends that extended far beyond the dances.

While gardening was her passion, she was known for her cooking.  Most notably, her potato and pea salads, custard pie, bread pudding, goulash, rhubarb crisp, and especially cream puffs were listed by family as memorable.  As a part of nurturing morals and ethics in her 4 children, she served as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts and helped with the Girl Scouts.  She also was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she served on varied committees.  In her later years, she never missed the radio broadcast of the service.  It is also important to note that Bernadine loved to learn and jumped at the chance to learn about computers and the internet.  She always searched out information for family and was an avid user of Facebook to keep up with family and speak out on politics.

Bernadine was preceded in death by her husband, Warren; both of her mothers; her father; her infant sister Connie Marie Clue; her brother-in-law’s:  Gene Klenzman of Marion, OH and Claire Kuchenberg of Independence, IA; and her older brother Laverne Ira Clue of Somerset, KY.

Surviving is her twin sister, Bernadette Kuchenberg of Marion, OH, her younger brother Ira John (Rosie) Clue of Rochelle, IL, her sister-in-law, Jo Clue of Summerset, KY, her daughters;  Marjorie K. Merfeld of Cedar Rapids, IA and Nancy M. Smith of Marion, IA,  her sons;  Ronald J. (Vicki) Hoffman of Charles City, IA and Dennis R. (Dawn) Hoffman of Waterloo, IA.  Also surviving are her grandchildren;  Kristen (Matt) Gillam of Deforest, WI, Brian (Debbie) Merfeld of Cedar Rapids, IA, Sarah (Warren) Schmitt of North Sioux City, SD, Heather (Vince) Penningroth of Ankeny, IA, Angela (Shawn) Peverill, Dana Sparks,  Andy Hoffman of Waterloo, IA, and Rebecca (Aaron) Orth of Coggon, IA.  She is also survived by 15 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence with Rev. Scott Meador officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19^th, at the church.

Bernadine created a positive, welcoming home that was always open to family and friends.  Looking back on her life, they remember that after visits to her home, she would always give a wave from the door to wish them a safe journey home.  Those waves will remain in the hearts and minds of all that visited her.

White Funeral Home of Independence is in charge of arrangements.