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. Check back here Wednesday morning for more details.

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