Marita Arlene Menard

Marita Arlene Menard (nee Hoffman) August 20, 1942 - May 13, 2026 Marita Menard, age 83, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026 at her residence in Roseville, Minnesota. Born in 1942 in Chicago, Illinois to Milo and Marie Hoffman, Marita dedicated her life to ministry, service, creativity and her family. Marita spent her earliest years in Chicago, then moved with her family to Itasca, Illinois while still in grade school. She graduated with the first class of the brand new Lake Park High school in 1960. Marita then attended Northern Illinois University, earning a B.A. in Special Education. She was VP of the student council and an Alpha Omicron Pi sorority sister. She met her sweetheart, Michael Ross Menard, during her junior year, and they married during her senior year, after he had graduated and she had a final semester remaining.They were married on March 20, 1964 in Itasca, Illinois. After graduation, Marita taught in schools in Aurora, Illinois, inner-city Cincinnati, Ohio, and Elgin, Illinois. Because the field of Special Education was new at the time, there weren't many textbooks or materials available. She used her creative skills to develop some, which brought accolades, first from her university professors and later from her teaching supervisors. She wrote an essay, "Why Teach?", that is still presented as inspiration to all education majors at the university. While working in Cincinnati, her district supervisor thought so highly of her skills that she brought in other teachers to observe her. When this supervisor got promoted to Director of Ohio Special Education, she asked Marita to be her assistant director. Although honored, Marita declined and moved back to Elgin, Illinois for Mike's job in real estate and soon started their family with the birth of eldest daughter Michelle, and second daughter Lisa the following year. Marita and Mike made a move to Madison, Wisconsin in1969 where they spent the next 51 years raising their family and serving their church and community. They were blessed by daughters Nicole and Jennifer's births during their early Madison years. Marita treasured being a mom, and delighted in being able to stay home with her girls.The Menards moved to Roseville, Minnesota in 2020 to be near daughters Nicole and Michelle and their families. Marita was warmly welcomed into the Eaglecrest Senior Community there, and enjoyed both the wonderful neighbors and staff. The kindness of the community to Marita and our family is so appreciated. Marita came to faith in Jesus through a neighborhood Bible study in her early 30's. Her husband Mike also committed his life to the Lord during this time. Together they joined a "3 week" Bible study, which they ended up attending for 8 years, led by treasured friends Burt and Darlene Olson. As new Christians, the Menards also joined Blackhawk Evangelical Free Church, which became a central part of their lives for the following 5 decades. Marita and Mike's faith became their foundation, guidance, strength and hope through all the years to come. In recent years, Calvary Church in Roseville provided a wonderful church home for them, and Marita enjoyed attending the worship services, the Ambassadors Life Group, and Bible study. We are grateful for the love and welcome Calvary showed Marita during her last years there. Marita used her hospitality and creative gifts to write a church newsletter, serve as an AWANA leader, host newcomers to the church for Sunday dinners and holidays, welcome various individuals to live with her family during times of transition, speak at women's conferences, administrate a church wide bible study, help serve monthly dinners for seniors, come alongside people as a Stephen minister, create church banners, beautifully decorate church tables for events, celebrate and honor people with brunches, and so many more unseen acts of service. She served as one of the first counselors in Madison at the Care Net of Dane County (previously called the Pregnancy Information Center). One of Marita's favorite accomplishments was starting a Titus ministry at church for moms of babies and young children with a focus on encouragement and older women teaching younger women. She and her husband were also involved with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and hosted holiday parties over many years for international students. They additionally joyfully volunteered several years at the Urbana missions conferences. Marita was a passionate supporter of many missionaries and people in a variety of ministries. Marita's greatest joys were the Lord, her family and beauty. She loved crafts and creative projects, rhymes, games, dancing, reading, movies and musicals, Bible study, decorating, laughing and talking with friends and enjoying nature. She was able to visit many wonderful places with her family including national parks, Cape Cod, NYC, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, Honduras, Europe, New Zealand, and Madagascar. Marita spent 26 years creating precious memories with her family during annual trips to Florida. She made countless visits to see and support her daughters and their families in Vancouver, B.C. and Minnesota. She was an amazing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and was very intentional as she poured out her love as a devoted prayer warrior, a gracious hostess, a willing helper, a personal cheerleader and as a mentor and friend for so many others besides. Marita's trust in the Lord, love of family and gifts of encouragement and celebration are her greatest legacy. Marita is survived by her husband of 62 years, Michael; daughters Michelle (Bob) Kingsbury, Lisa (Barry) Boldt, Nicole (Toby) Menard, and Jennifer Menard-Victor, as well as 5 grandchildren; Noah (Mariah) Kingsbury, Zane (Alexandra) Kingsbury, Aidan Kingsbury, Max Kingsbury and Maddy Menard-Victor; great-grandchildren Colson and Kaia Kingsbury; brothers Don (Sue) Hoffman and Den (Sarah) Hoffman and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her brothers Ralph and Robert Hoffman, her mother Marie Hoffman (nee Janz), father Milo Hoffman, father and mother in-law Walter and Eleanor Menard, mother-in-law Rose Menard and brothers in-law Herbert James Menard and David W. Menard. Memorial Services celebrating Marita's life will be held: Wednesday, May 27th at 10:00 a.m., with light refreshments to follow, visitation prior to service at 9:00 a.m. Location: Eaglecrest, 2925 Lincoln Drive, Roseville, MN 55113 Saturday, June 6th at 11:30 a.m. with lunch to follow, visitation prior to service at 10:30 a.m. Location: Blackhawk Church, 9620 Brader Way, Middleton, WI 53562 Memorial donations may be made to: Scripture Union Scriptureunion.org or Samaritan's Purse Samaritanspurse.org