Carol R Hoffman

Carol Rae Hoffman (nee Cook) (Deprey), passed away with grace and dignity, with her adoring family by her side, her life circle here on earth was completed on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Carol, cherished wife and treasured mother, fought a very courageous and heroic battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) until God chose to take this battle out of her hands. Her loving husband Roger of 42 years, stood steadfast with her and lovingly cared for Carol until the end.

Carol was born on June 17th to Charles Cook and Harriet (Vandenberg) Cook and grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She graduated from Green Bay West High School, then broadened her horizons by moving to Coral Gables, Florida with friends.

Upon her return to Green Bay, she worked for many years at Green Bay Packaging, where she eventually met Roger Hoffman, the love of her life. Carol and Roger married on July 29, 1976. The union of both families into one was in fact, so crucial to them that they took all five kids with them to The Holidome in Stevens Point, Wisconsin for their first night together as husband and wife, to celebrate the family's new beginning together.

Carol loved to play cards, especially the game of Bridge, and was a member of a ladies' bridge club since before having children, until she could no longer speak. She would join in with anyone who wanted to play, many times while on cruises with Roger. Carol belonged to the Green Bay West Side YMCA where she spent many years keeping fit and also making new friends, until due to the ALS, she could no longer attend the Y.

Carol also loved to sing and was a member of the Angels Musical Review in 1990, performing at nursing homes and other venues, entertaining others with their beautiful singing, for several years. While with 'the Angels', she, along with a few other Angels, would take tap lessons from Bernie Matzke to add some 'pizazz' to their musical numbers. These select Angels also took part in Bernie's dance recitals in May of each year.

Carol enjoyed many years of golfing with 'The Golf Girls' at Ledgeview Golf Course in their Ladies League. She also enjoyed vacations with Roger, skiing, going to the casinos, going to the beach with her children and grandchildren and being with family - especially the Thanksgivings and Christmases up at Wild Eagle Lodge in Eagle River, WI.

She loved to travel with Roger and also her family. She and Roger had just returned from a world cruise, visiting more than 80 countries and ports of call shortly after her return, she was confronted with the devastating diagnosis of ALS. Weeks before embarking on their cruise, she mentioned to Roger that she was faced with the disappointment of no longer being able to sing. She had no idea this was the beginning of the horribly, debilitating disease, ALS.

Carol is survived by her children: Mitch (Bari) Deprey, their children, Caleb & Ariel, Windsor, WI; Marci (Deprey) Spofford (Ric Foytik) & her children, Blake, Brock, Tommy Spofford and Caroline Foytik, Green Bay, WI; Chris (Eric) Denissen and their children, Layla & Levi, Monument, CO; Dan (Terri) Deprey and their children, Lilly & Aubrie Deprey, Sun Prairie, WI; Jessica Kaiver (fiance Kip Carter), her children, Hope (fiance Alex Smeester), Isaiah & Donovan; all of Green Bay, WI; former sons-in-law, Jon Spofford and Don Kaiver, both of Green Bay, WI. Siblings: Brian (Suzan) Cook, Madison, WI; Jan (Joe) Proski, Glendale, AZ; Tom Cook, Edina, MN (former wife, Cindy Cook), Eagan, MN; Marilynn Cook (Doug LaViolette), Green Bay, WI.

Brothers-in-law, Alan (Nancy) Hoffman, Burke, VA; Tom (Sue) Hoffman, Knoxville, TN; Ron (Nancy) Hoffman, Green Bay, WI; sisters-in-law Mary Boyd, Conway, AR; Darlene Hoffman, Manitowoc, WI; numerous nieces, nephews & cousins.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents: Charles & Harriet Cook; mother & father-in-law, Helen (Marek) & Hugo Hoffman; brother-in-law, Glen Hoffman; infant grandson Jesse Joseph Kaiver; and niece Jennifer (Hoffman) Moore, Rockville, VA.

We would like to thank the following who have helped Carol through her ALS journey: The doctors, nurses and staff of St. Mary's Hospital of Green Bay for lovingly caring for Carol during her last few days with us, particularly, Dr. Gallion, Dr. Kanneganti, nurses Sara, Kim, Barb, Stacy and also Chaplain Aletta for her spiritual care and kindness during this very difficult time. At the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida: Dr. Bjorn Oskarsson and his ALS Care Team, especially nurses Jamie and Katie for all of their efforts on Carol’s behalf; the infusion team at Mayo Clinic for the loving care and attention they gave Carol, and also Dr. Greengrass for his dedication to improving anesthesiology for ALS patients. Prevea Clinic’s Dr. Paul Schmitz, for always being available to Carol on short notice and his gentle, kind approach as she dealt with her ever changing needs and Dr. Richard Potts for his efforts on behalf of the ALS community of Northeast Wisconsin in making the first new drug for the treatment of ALS in 22 years - Radicava, available locally at St. Vincent Hospital. Finally, a very special recognition to the infusion team at St. Vincent Hospital including Missy, Amanda, Mary, Rosie, Sandy, Kay, Ellie, Ruth, Cheryl, Lynn, Rosalee, Claire, Dawn and Becky. 

 Lyndahl Funeral Home, particularly Luke for his efforts, consideration and kindness in helping us to prepare Carol’s celebration of life.

While it is still not determined how effective Radicava is in the treatment of ALS, it is the only new therapy available; it is the only hope at this point in time. While Carol’s ALS continued to advance at an alarming rate, her infusion treatments were very important to her. It was so much more than just the medication - it afforded her the opportunity to interact with so many people she grew to love, with the infusion teams initially with Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, followed by St. Vincent Hospital and Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, Florida.

Recognition also goes to the ALS Association of Wisconsin and Carol Younk for her efforts on Carol’s behalf.

Finally, special recognition must go to Humana. Humana was immediately responsive to Carol’s appeal for the use of Radicava. When most insurers were still refusing coverage for this drug, Humana came through for Carol. While each day, the ALS patient experiences new difficulties and loss of functionality, one very happy time for Carol was when Humana approved coverage for this drug and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL became one of the first major providers to commence this treatment, with Carol being only their second patient.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to a worthy ALS charities, such as The ALS Association Wisconsin Chapter, https://www.alsawi.org/ or Tackle ALS, https://www.tackleals.com/ Thank you.

Visitation for Carol will be held at Lyndahl Funeral Home, 1350 Lombardi Ave, Green Bay, WI 54304, Thursday, December 20th, 4-7 pm and Friday, December 21st, 9-11am.  A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at 11 am to honor her memory. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos may be shared with Carol’s family on her tribute page at www.lyndahl.com.

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