Geralyn Hoffman

Visitation: Sunday, July 11, at Anderson, Stevenson, Wilke Funeral Home

Vigil Service: Sunday, July 11, with a 7:30 p.m. at Anderson, Stevenson, Wilke Funeral Home

Funeral Mass: 12 noon on Monday, July 12 at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church

Geralyn Geri Hoffman, 52, put away her gardening gloves for the last time on Wednesday, July 7, 2010. Her final days were spent with family and friends at her side, ending a seven year battle with breast cancer.

Geri always insisted on taking care of everyone elses needs. Throughout her courageous battle she never complained or wanted anyone to fuss over her. She was born November 9, 1957 in Miles City, Montana to Pius Pete and Lorraine (Dolajak) Huschka. The family moved to Glendive, Montana in 1964.

She graduated from Dawson County High School in 1976. After high school she moved to Missoula and attended college at the University of Montana. She began her certified public accounting career for the Montana Department of Revenue working in Casper Wyoming. It was during this time Geri met the love of her life, Don Butch Hoffman, and moved to Helena in 1987. She spent the next 23 years building many special friendships and working for the State Legislative Auditors Office. Retirement arrived in March of this year.

On October 13, 1991, Geri and Don married and began their family with Melissa and Katy, joined by Brett on August 19, 1992. Anyone who knew Geri would not be surprised to hear that the first year was filled with many projects: building a home, blending a family, training a puppy, and butchering a moose. Her non-stop energy and gift of taking care of everyone else earned her the nickname Effie. The homestead on Mitchell Gulch Road has become a haven for her flowers, trees, vegetables, and shrubs; but not for the deer. While her evening garden walk-a-bouts would identify new weeds to be pulled and new projects for Don, she couldnt pass up a garage sale, searching for an antique, or just shopping as long as she could come home expressing that she saved more than she spent. Her generosity and caring for others were endless as Geri never arrived at your home empty handed; either food or gifts from the gift pantry were in hand. One of her other joys in life was finding a penny on the ground and then showing Brett and Don what she had found.

It's hard to imagine many people with Geris gift to simply love life and spread her positive outlook. She was an inspiration to so many of us and had a special way of making you realize every situation has a good side.

She is survived by her husband, Don Hoffman and son Brett Hoffman at the family home; step-daughter Melissa Teglia and her children Katy and Connor of Reno, NV; mother, Lorraine Huschka of Glendive, MT; mother-in-law, Margaret Hoffman of East Helena, MT; brothers and spouses, Keith and Andy Huschka of Dickinson, ND, Gerald and Janine Huschka of Glendive, MT, Cory and
Ronni Huschka of Madison, WI; sisters and spouses, Karen and LaVaine Kraft of Phoenix, AZ, Angela Huschka and Ken Kops of Helena, MT, and sister Gina Huschka of Denver, CO; sister-in-law and spouse, Kathy and Steve Schenk of Helena, MT; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her father, Pius Huschka and step-daughter, Katy Hoffman.

The family expresses their appreciation to the staff at St. Peters Cancer Treatment Center and the Hospital Oncology staff for their loving care over the last seven years. We also thank the many friends and family for the kind words and support.

Memorials may be sent to the St. Peters Cancer Treatment Center in care of St. Peters Foundation at 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 or other charity of choice.

The world is much emptier without her, while Heaven rejoices in her entry into Gods Kingdom. We LOVE YOU Geri and will miss you always!