Martin Richard Hoffman

On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, a day that was “colder than a well digger’s elbow,” Martin “Billy” Richard Hoffman, 85, of Manitowoc passed away at his home surrounded by his family.

Marty was born on December 14, 1940 in Two Rivers to Vilas and Modesta (Schesta) Hoffman. He attended Washington High School in Two Rivers. Marty served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1961. On October 27, 1962 he married Mary Kochan at St. Anne Catholic Church in Francis Creek. Marty worked at Memorial Hospital right out of the navy, followed by the Clark Station in Two Rivers until he ran the one in Manitowoc around 1963, followed by Marty’s Petro Station. In May of 1974, he became the owner and operator of Zannacker’s Cleaners (“We clean everything but your conscience”) alongside his wife Mary.

Marty was a collector of memorabilia, a bargain hunter, and enjoyed going to rummage sales. Visiting Marty meant walking away with one of his bargain finds he had up for grabs on the patio table. Marty enjoyed “deer hunting” and “wood cutting” (read: shenanigans at the cottage), classic car restoration, feeding the birds and squirrels in his yard, goofing around with his grandchildren, talking smart with his family, and the Wednesday neighborhood gatherings. He has bestowed upon us many pearls of wisdom that are not fit for print and impossibly high snow removal standards.

Marty is survived by his wife: Mary Hoffman; four children: Mark (Leilani) Hoffman, Randy (Becky) Hoffman, Karen (David) Mikalofsky, and Katie (Björn Hallsson) Hoffman; grandchildren: Rachel (fiancé Nic), Sam, Nathan, Erik, Jenny, Kai, and Brynja; brothers and sisters: Jim (Joann) Hoffman, Bud (Rita) Hoffman, Candace Krueger, and Pauline (Bill) Blashka; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Jim Kochan, Sister Leonette Kochan, Carol Mangin, and Tom (Kathy) Kochan. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Marty was preceded in death by his parents: Vilas and Modesta Hoffman; brothers and sisters: Ellen (Bob) Peters, Marna (Jerry) Wagner, Audrey (Leon) Skattebo, Tory Hastings, Bruce Hoffman, Tom Hoffman, and Brian Hoffman; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Leo and Loretta Kochan; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Joyce Kochan and Les Mangin. 

A service to celebrate Marty’s life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Pfeffer Funeral Home, 928 S. 14th Street, with Rev. Dave Beaudry officiating. Military honors will conclude the service. Relatives and friends may greet the family at the funeral home from 9:30 am until the time of service at 11:00 am, with lunch to follow at AMVETS Post 99, 4310 Conroe Street. A burial of cremains at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, WI will be held at a later date. 

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com. To honor Marty’s military service, contributions to AMVETS, or your preferred military veterans’ charity, are appreciated.

The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer location, is assisting the Hoffman family with arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martin Richard Hoffman, please visit our floral store.