Kari Ann Hofer (Nelson)

Kari Ann Hofer (Nelson), age 36 of rural Blanchardville died on Friday morning, May 13, 2022, after a long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) at her home near Blanchardville.  She was born on January 24, 1986, in Dubuque, Iowa to Allen Frederick and Wendy Kay (Martell) Hofer.  Kari lived in Benton and Fennimore as an infant, and then after her mother married Cliff Nelson of Blanchardville, she lived from age 4 until her death in Blanchardville with her mother Wendy and Cliff Nelson.  She attended the Pecatonica Area Schools in Hollandale and Blanchardville for grade and high school, graduating in 2004.  She went on to Southwest Tech in Fennimore where she obtained Associate Degrees in Cosmetology and in Esthetician.  She grew to really love her esthetician work.  She also grew up attending the York Memorial Lutheran Church.  Kari loved doing art and craftwork.  She also loved her dogs, Takita, Minnie and Duke who have passed on, and currently Shelby and Bella.  She volunteered at the Iowa County Humane Society and helping with fundraisers for them.  She also drove transport for Toni’s T.E.A.M. to bring animals from the southern states to Wisconsin and Minnesota.  Her family has a camper at Wisconsin Dells, and she dearly loved going there, including just days before her death.  She also loved fishing with her sister Jessica and neighbor David Hermanson. 

Kari is survived by her mother, Wendy (Cliff) Nelson of Blanchardville; her father, Allen Hofer; two sisters, Jessica Montano of Argyle and Kasadra Hofer currently serving in the United States Army in Fort Bragg, North Carolina; a brother AJ (Maysen) Hofer of Platteville; her grandmothers, Nancy Nelson of rural Blanchardville and Darlene Hofer of Cuba City; special uncle, Dan Nelson of rural Blanchardville and a very special Aunt Charlotte Boyles of Arkansas and Uncle Jerry Bass of Blue River.  She is preceded in death by her grandfathers, Stanley Nelson, Charles “Butch” Martell and Lawrence Hofer; and her aunt Marlene Pahl; and great-grandparents Lloyd “Tyke” and Ruby Farrey.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the UW Hospital staff on wing B6-6 and Dr. Aric Hall for all their loving care and efforts.  Also, to Melissa Bridges of TMG, special friends Marsha, Jerry Bredeson and their family, Linda O’Connell and Michele Ramsden.

A visitation with wearing masks required for Kari will be held on Monday evening, May 16, 2022, from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at Blanchard Hall at 204 South Main Street in Blanchardville.  A funeral service with masks required will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Blanchard Hall.  The service will be live cast for the public on the Saether Funeral Service Facebook page. 

http://www.facebook.com/saetherfuneralservice

Burial will be in the York Memorial Cemetery in rural Blanchardville.  A catered funeral lunch will follow back at Blanchard Hall.  Saether Funeral Service of Blanchardville is assisting the family.  Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralservice.com and on the Saether Funeral Service Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers the family is setting up a scholarship fund in Kari’s memory.

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