Enid Price Hoffman

MADISON–Enid Hoffman, age 94, of Madison, passed away on Monday, March 19, 2018, at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge.  She grew up on the family dairy farm in near Waukesha, owned by her parents, W. Howard and Sadie (Rowlands) Price. Throughout her life, she remained connected to her relatives and friends from this farm community, who had filled her childhood with fun and rich friendships.   From her parents she learned the value of hard work and doing a job right the first time, and to be respectful, tolerant and understanding of all people.  They also nurtured her lifelong faith, which was the foundation of her outlook and principles.  As her mother and sister before her, she graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha.  After World War II she worked in downtown Chicago and saved her money for extended travel to Europe with her college friends.  Enid continued her love of travel throughout her life and would always look for opportunities to see new places with family, friends and neighbors.  She then worked at the University of Illinois in Champaign until she met Rex Hoffman through a mutual friend.  He fell head over heels in love with Enid and wrote the most passionate and lyrical love letters to her when they were separated by jobs and distance.  She must have really lit a fire, because love letters their children found many years later revealed a side of Rex their children had never imagined!  Rex and Enid were married in 1952, at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Genesee, Enid’s home church located next to the farmhouse where she grew up.  In 1954, Rex and Enid moved to Madison to start a business, A to Z RentAll.  They were partners throughout as Rex worked to build the business and Enid was behind the scenes making sure the books were done, the bills got paid, and the phones got answered.  That partnership grew the business into a successful enterprise that remains operating and in the family today.  The many people employed over the years became like family and remained close to Rex and Enid’s heart over the years for being part of their journey.  Enid was well-read and had a broad interest in politics, art, music, cultures, and social and economic justice.  When asked how she knew so much she'd say, “I read!”..   When she travelled she sought out educational, historical, artistic and cultural attractions and was a life-long learner.  She instilled in her children a sense of the broader world and the wider interests that needed to be balanced and considered when making decisions; whether it be in their personal or business lives, or addressing social issues.  Above all, she enjoyed being with people.  Whether it was with her Oakwood buddies, as a long term member of Lake Edge United Church of Christ, along with Rex, being a founding member of the American Rental Association, volunteering for school activities, delivering Meals on Wheels, participating in the Waunona Garden Club, hosting a foreign visitor, or spending time with family and friends, Enid was always a warm and welcoming personality.  Enid is survived by two sons, Kevin (Mary) Hoffman and Jeff (Sarah) Hoffman; one daughter, Jill (Peter) Soar; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rex; sister, Gwyneth Pyne; and brother, Howard Price.  Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Saturday, April 28, 2018, with Chaplain Wayne Shannon presiding.  Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, April 27, 2018, and at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Olbrich Botanical Society, Inc.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420