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COTTONWOOD--Zella Hoff, age 87, of Cottonwood, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the Avera Hospital in Tyler, Minnesota surrounded by family. A private Memorial Service will be held at a later date.Livestream link and an online guestbook are available at www.hamiltonfh.com.
Zella Marie Brown was born on April 24, 1939, in Custer, South Dakota. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Stanton) Brown. Zella lived in New Castle, Wyoming. Later her father bought a farm and moved the family to Doniphan, Missouri. After the sale of the farm, they returned to Newcastle, Wyoming, where she graduated from New Castle High School in 1957. Zella went on to complete nursing school at the Saint Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Pueblo, Colorado.
On August 7, 1960, Zella was united in marriage to David Hoff in Ft. Collins, Colorado, to them were born four children: Mark, Deon, Sheri, and Michael. His work prompted the family to move several times until they settled in Hanley Falls, Minnesota in 1977.
Zella worked as an OBGYN nurse until she became a mother. She committed her time then to being a loving mother and devoted homemaker. After her divorce in 1981, Zella moved to the Twin Cities and went to work for Kmart where she held various positions prior to her retirement in 2001. Zella was active in the Apple Valley Art Council and her church, Valley Christian Church in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Zella was known to be strong-willed and fiercely loving. She took great pride in making others feel special and cared for. She was always busy. Either baking or cooking for someone, planning and throwing elaborate teas and dinner parties or creating something beautiful. Zella had the mind and heart to brighten the spirits of others at any given moment. Her heart was one of servitude, whether it be for her family, her friends, a stranger she just met or the Lord.
Zella Hoff passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Tyler, Minnesota. She reached the age of 87 years, 1 month, and 17 days. Blessed be her memory.
She has survived by her daughters, Deon Tangen of Fargo, ND, and Sheri (and Steve) Erickson of Cottonwood; 14 grandchildren, Andrea, David, Daniel, Damian, Zachariah, Zackery, Jayson, Jonathan, Stephanie (and James), Paul (and Emily), Carrie Anne, Emily (and Mitchell), Alicia (and Andy), Joshua; 20 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings, Floyd Brown of Owasso, OK, Kenneth (and Twila) Brown of Columbia, TN, Lynette (and John) Robison of Ashburn, GA; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
Zella was preceded in death by her parents, James and Elizabeth Brown; sons, Mark Hoff, Michael Hoff; 3 great-grandchildren, Oliver Livermore, Oakley Baron, Chase Dandurand, and a brother, Steve Brown.
Arrangements by Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota 507-532-2933 www.hamiltonfh.com