Martha Jane Hoffa, beloved daughter, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday April 10, 2020, at the age of 84. Martha was born in Brazil, Indiana, on June 20, 1935, to John Frederick and Ethel Jane Anderson Hoffa. She was raised by her parents in Bowling Green, Indiana.
Growing up, Martha was her father’s ‘right hand man’. Her father owned a hardware store and she loved working in it. She often told the story “when Dad would leave for the hardware store and didn’t plan to take me, I would throw a fit until he did.” Martha had a lot of pride in her Dad’s hardware store and she was devastated that he had to sell it after 40 years of business. Martha went on many deliveries with her father. She said, “Dad’s truck couldn’t drive by the ice cream store without stopping”. While she loved both of her parents very much, she was very close to her father. She knew not to ever get into trouble because it would affect her father’s good name and business.
Martha received both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree from Indiana State University in Elementary Education, with a minor in Physical Education. Martha was an employee of the Duneland schools for 32 years, where she taught 3rd and 4th grade, as well as served as an assistant principal. In 1962, Martha took a leave of absence from the Indiana schools and moved to Seattle, WA where she taught 5th grade to a class of inner-city kids. Martha had a great love for children, and while she was unable to have her own, she was a positive influence for hundreds of others. She was a very giving person and often helped those around her, who were less fortunate.
While in Seattle, Martha joined the Army on August 4, 1964, serving during the Vietnam War. During her military service, she worked as a survivor assistance officer, as well as a financial assistance officer. She was honorably discharged, as a Captain in 1967, at Fort Dix in New Jersey. Martha was very proud that she had the opportunity to serve her country. Even as her mind continued to deteriorate, she still knew her military ID and she was proud to be able to recite it.
Martha loved to travel. She visited all 50 states, with the exception of Mississippi. Martha loved the outdoors. She loved camping and served as the Young Women’s camp director for many years for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Martha also loved music. She played the guitar and loved teaching her students how to play. In her younger years, Martha was a part of a singing group who performed for various events.
Martha also loved to paint. As she got older, she would go to the Senior Center and paint. She loved painting landscapes and would often print pictures she found online that she could paint. Her favorite thing to paint was a covered bridge. She had such a love for all covered bridges and was sad when some of her favorites could no longer be saved. She had her paintings on all of her walls. When her walls were filled, she had them hung above her cabinets. Any white space was fair game for her beloved paintings.
Martha will be missed very much. Her kindness and sense of humor cannot be replaced. Martha was preceded in death by her sister, Ruth, as well as her parents, John and Ethel Hoffa.
Martha loved animals. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your nearest animal shelter.
A public visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah. A private service for invited guests only will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., also at Walker Funeral Home. The funeral service will be streamed live from this obituary page starting at 10:50 a.m. Please click on the “Martha Jane Hoffa – Funeral Service” video below.
10 Condolences for Martha Jane Hoffa
Condolences(10)
Deb Imhof says
April 11, 2020 at 7:56 pmMartha was my student teaching supervisor many years ago. She was kind and compassionate. She loved the students in her class and took them on trips to her home. She was a special person and I was lucky to have known her.
Ken Miller says
April 11, 2020 at 9:44 pmI was Martha’s Principal for 12 years. She had a tender heart and could shed a tear over a story or happening that caused others heart ache or loss. She loved her students and did a lot of hands on op and outdoor things with them. She dressed as a belly dancer, with others, for my 40th birthday….I had stated how proud horrible it would be….conservative belly dancers they were and it was hilarious….but my face was red. Lots of great memories. We loved Martha….because she loved us.
Julie Gasser says
April 11, 2020 at 9:55 pmMartha was a very sweet lady. I really enjoyed getting to know her when she lived in the Legacy House.
She will always be remembered by her kindness and generosity of the gifts that she gave me and my family.
I’m so sad that she has passed, but what a blessing for her that she isn’t suffering any longer. And is in a much better place.
Jeanne Kelsey says
April 12, 2020 at 12:38 amMarti was my dear Friend for 28 yrs through the LDS Church. Her kindness & enduring Friendship kept me on a Straight & Narrow Path for Many Years!! She will be Sorely missed!! Until we meet again, be at Peace Marti!!????
Love you!!????
Jeanne Kelsey
Helen Cram says
April 12, 2020 at 8:08 pmMartha and I served as missionary companions in the Arizona Tucson mission and even though our service together was not long, I have wonderful memories of our experiences in the little town of Truth or Consequences, N.M. We met wonderful people there and felt great satisfaction in our united efforts in serving there.
Martha must be the happiest she has ever been right now to be in the company of all of her loved ones. I am happy for her.
Lorene Schaudt says
April 13, 2020 at 1:52 amMartha and I taught together at Jackson Elementary in Duneland School Corp. She was always supportive and I loved hearing about her military life. I was always impressed with her life experiences.
Barb Crumpacker Crumpacker Niedner says
April 13, 2020 at 1:10 pmMiss Hoffa was my teacher for 4th and 5th grade. I have so many fond memories of her in that classroom space out in the country.
She read to us every day and made the stories come to life with her animated voice and facial expressions. She taught us the value of honesty and integrity by her way of being and her interactions with each of us. She shared her love of guitar and had a bunch of us who tried to play along with her in our very own guitar group.
Most memorable was this story: One beautiful day in late spring she had us all howling laughing and cheering her on out on the softball field after she hit a home run against Mr. Vernalis’ 5th-grade team. While the other class was attempting to retrieve the ball that she had whacked WAY OUT beyond the outfield, she was rounding second base. In an effort to assess whether she had enough time to continue to home plate, she swiftly turned her head, lost her wig, saw that she indeed had enough time to make it round the bases, so off she tore towards home leaving her wig behind at second base! If ever you saw an adult model presence, and be a kid-at-heart, good sport, with a great sense of humor and humility, it was her on that day!
A handful of years ago I had a lovely visit with her via phone at her home in Spanish Forks, Utah. We caught up on each other’s lives. I told her I still play the guitar to this day. We laughed as we shared many wonderful memories of our time together at Jackson Township Elementary School.
Thank you, Miss Hoffa, for being YOU with all of us! There were so many gifts you gave us and lessons we learned as a result of having YOU in our lives.
Deni Berger says
April 13, 2020 at 11:37 pmThis memory makes me so happy! Martha told me the story about her wig falling off. I have her photo that was taken that year that she wore her wig!
James A. Lyon says
April 14, 2020 at 3:17 amI ever got to meet Martha personally, but we shared several emails back and forth as well as Facebook messages. Her Great Grandmother Mary Lyon Anderson and my 3rd Great Grandfather James Allison Lyon, were the two oldest children of Valentine and Mary Payne Lyon. I will cherish our conversations about family and Indiana memories. God bless her with perfect peace and comfort those left behind grieving.
Carol (Handlon) Goins says
April 14, 2020 at 9:41 pmMartha was teaching 4th grade in 1969 at Jackson Elementary…. the old Jackson. It was my first year in Duneland – teaching 3rd….. she truly loved her students. We worked hard together to truly teach & have great fun as well❣️It is just wonderful to see & read what others of you (Barb, Dr. Dan, Ken, Lorene, Judy, Deb….) have so beautifully written & shared about a very special woman & teacher. I believe she would be pleased. There were years of some great teams in Duneland – including Jackson.
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