Helen Sylvia Hoffman, age 84, of St.Kilian, died Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at South Shore Care Center, in Worthington, with her loving husband, Stan, at her side. She was born July 17, 1931 to parents Jens and Mildred (Bagge) Bie of Askov, Minnesota. After graduating high school, Sylvia worked at Honeywell in Minneapolis and in 1955 married Guy "Tom" Clapper. The couple later moved to Casper, Wyoming. When Tom died in 1972, Sylvia made her way to St. Kilian, Minnesota and several years later married Stan Hoffman, a widower. The two would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in November.
Sylvia and Stan were proprietors of the St. Kilian Store, a small grocery store, from 1979 to 1996. The store building, built in 1892, also served as their home when they moved there from Stan's farm in 1979. Sylvia thoroughly enjoyed most everything about living and working in St. Kilian, forming lifelong friendships with neighbors, including a close relationship with Rich and Laurie Bohlke. Customers, their children and the childrens' children were a very special part of Sylvia's life.
Her hobbies included baking, playing cards, reading and – above all – watching her beloved sports teams: the Twins, Gophers, Timberwolves and Lynx. In her last days, she continued to track the Twins, and was always ready to chat about the game highlights – good and bad!
Sylvia is survived by her husband Stan; stepchildren, Paul (Laura) Hoffman, Greenville, WI; Julie (Kevin) Justie, Arlington Heights, IL; and Catharine's partner, Cynthia Scott, Minneapolis; sisters, Norma Spartz, Sandstone; Margaret Clapper, St. Peter; Ingrid (Dennis) Landowski, Sandstone; and Virginia Anderson, Coon Rapids; sister-in-law from her first marriage, Barb (Jerry) Fritz; Stan's sister, Charlotte (Wes) Andrews; and sisters-in-law, Rosemary (Quentin) Hoffman; and Beatrice (Arnold) Hoffman; grandchildren, Katie Hoffman and Brian and Rachel Justie; and many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by parents, Jens and Mildred (Bagge) Bie; beloved siblings, Leroy Bie and Esther Blessing; first husband, Guy "Tom" Clapper; stepdaughter Catharine, and nine of Stan's ten siblings.
A time of fellowship will be from 10 to 11:30 am Saturday at the St. Kilian Hall in St. Kilian. A memorial service will be at 11:30 am at the St. Kilian Hall officiated by Deacon Vern Behrends. A private committal of cremains will be at a later date.
Dingmann Funeral Home & Cremation Services, in Wilmont, is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Nobles County Library and Information Center, your local public library, the American Lung Association or Sanford Hospice.
To view an online obituary or order flowers, please visit dingmannandsons.com

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