Kathleen (Bowman) Hoffman, 93, passed away on April 27, 2014, at the Shelby House where she had resided since 2005.
She was born in Wolf Creek on April 4, 1921, the fourth daughter of seven children, to Howard Sr. and Dora Bowman. In 1935, her family moved six miles outside of Augusta toward the Sawtooth Mountain Range to a ranch her father owned and operated. This is where she met her partner for life, Harold Hoffman, when her father hired him as a ranch hand, giving Harold express instructions, as he did all the hired men, to stay away from his daughters. But love bloomed and Harold and Kathleen were secretly engaged. After Kathleen graduated from Augusta High School, they were married on July 15, 1939, in Great Falls at her sister Vera’s home with sister Opal Stevens and good friend Roger “Hi” Krebs as witnesses.
Harold tried his hand at different jobs throughout western Montana, and in 1940 the Hoffmans settled in the Helena Valley. Sons Gene (1940), Bob (1942), and Larry (1945) were born and Kathleen worked hard as a mother while Harold worked as the foreman at the Shumate Dairy where they lived. Kathleen and Harold operated the Munger Ranch for 27 years. Kathleen went to work for Mountain Bell in 1952 and retired in 1982 from U.S. West. Kathleen and Harold moved off the ranch to their home on Sierra Road in 1979. She spent many hours on the loveseat next to Harold, holding hands as they looked out on the Helena Valley through their big picture window. Kathleen enjoyed being a grandmother, baking hundreds of cookies every year for Christmas and making each girl (four total) gunny sack dresses. Harold and she would drive up to Augusta each year for the rodeo and camp every summer at their favorite spot by Kim’s Marina on Canyon Ferry Lake. She was an expert ceramic artist and enjoyed many evenings painting Christmas decorations and gifts with her best friend Arta Mae in a group called Tin Can Ladies.
Kathleen was a charter member of the Little Red Schoolhouse. A 4-H leader for ten years plus, extension homemaker member and a member of the Telephone Pioneers. She was a lifetime member of the First Lutheran Church and seldom missed a Sunday with Harold.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Harold August Hoffman; her parents Howard Bowman and Dora Nell Adams; sisters Opal (Stevens), Vera (Brantley), Mabelle (Hoff), and brother Charles “Bud”; and son Eugene “Gene”. Survivors include her brother Howard “Howdy” Bowman Jr. and his wife Audrey of Townsend; her sister Nancy Everard of Stevensville; son Robert “Bob” and his wife Sally of Tucson, Arizona; son Laurence “Larry” and his wife Chris of Helena; nephew William “Bill” Stevens of Helena; daughters-in-law Anna Hoffman of Helena and Jane Thayer of Great Falls.
Grandchildren Reid Hoffman of Washington, DC; Stacey (Mike) Abrahamson of Montana City; Hilary Hoffman of Houston, Texas; Brooke (Alan) Reese of Oak Hill, Virginia; Heidi McMillan (Rick Pyfer, Fiance) of Helena; Kell (Jodi) Ackley of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho and Shannon (Gary) of Coss Bay, Oregon.
Great-grandchildren Mikaela (Brandon) Uhl, Kevin Abrahamson; Kailey, Ally, and Jackson McMillan; Morgan Reese; Tanner and Vance Ackley; and David, Paige (Hall) and Andrew Orr.
Great-great grandchildren Sofia and Benjamin Uhl
A huge extended family and many friends also survive.
A visitation will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Retz Funeral Home. A graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, at 11:30 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family will schedule a memorial service at a later date.
The family requests that memorials be sent to 4-H, the Little Red Schoolhouse, the Shelby House or to the choice of the donor. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Kathleen.
Mark and Ann Fifield says
Dear Larry and Chris and family,
“Somewhere over the horizon and beyond the farthest shore, the spirit of your mother in peace eternally soars.” We are thinking of you and know you will miss Kathleen. She was a beautiful lady. Love, Mark and Ann
Susan and Bob Andersen says
Hoffman Family….So sad to hear about your mom. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs, Susan and Robert
Hilary Hoffman says
Mother to Gene, Bob, and Larry; grandmother of all grandmothers – we will miss your love and humor.
Joy Fleming and Family says
Hoffman Family – Kathleen will be greatly missed. I have so many fond memories of her and Uncle Harold. Family get togethers with the Hoffman/Bowman clan were the best! Love and prayers to you all. From Joy, Jay, Carson and Zane
Donna Engel Ohs says
She was a special lady. Your parents were so good to us.
She had lots of love to share.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love Donna
Chris Juhl Love says
To the Hoffman Family – I worked with Kathleen for 2 years in the mid 60s at Mountain Bell… she was so much fun to work with, and so loved all her boys!!! Even after I moved to California we kept in touch for many years…… and each time I came home on vacation we had a wonderful visit. It was a joy knowing her and being made to feel like a part of your family. God bless you all. She and Harold are now together again and fully enjoying the grace and glory of our Heavenly Father. We will be together again some day…Hugs and love to you all….. Chris Juhl Love
Elaine Cooper Power says
Hoffman’s – So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. Our association with Harold and Kathleen during Little Red Schoolhouse activities was a memorable part of our lives. Both such willing workers and fun to be with. May God Bless, give you comfort and peace. Elaine