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Obituary of Katharine Lillis Hoffer
Katharine Lillis “Lil” McGinn Hoffer was a knitter. Learning the craft as a young bride in Weiser, Idaho in the 1950s, Lil lovingly knit afghans, baby blankets, sweaters, scarves, hats, mittens, and booties of all colors, designs, and textures for her cherished family and friends. First, it was as a hobby to help pass the long evenings on the family farm as her two daughters slept and she waited up for her husband, LaVere Albert Hoffer, to return from his long shifts with the Union Pacific Railroad. Later knitting became a passion for Lil as she excitedly sought out the newest patterns and yarn fibers.
But blankets and mittens weren’t the only things in Lil’s knitting basket. Ask anyone in her family, and they will tell you that throughout her 89 years of life, she looped together an incredible family bond securely connected with unwavering love, loyalty, respect, gratitude, laughter, and (so much!) fun. Her legacy of family love “well-knitted” remains with each one of us who had the special honor of calling her Wife, Sis, Mom, Oma, Aunt Lil, and friend. Despite her many health challenges the past few years, Lil’s quiet suffering, always with a cheerful countenance, inspired all who had the privilege to love and care for her.
Lil Hoffer passed away on July 16, 2021, in Boise, Idaho surrounded by her family. Lil was born to parents, Katharine Agnes “Kay” Lillis McGinn and Charles Augustus McGinn II, on November 4, 1931, in Portland, Oregon. She attended and graduated from Holy Child Academy in Portland. After high school, Lil attended the University of Oregon and joined the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, later completing her degree at Boise State University as an Accredited Medical Records Technician. Lil and LaVere were married on July 11, 1953, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Ontario, Oregon and recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. They moved to Boise in 1973.
Lil is survived by her husband, LaVere; daughters: Katharine Lillis “Katie” Hoffer Bagley IV and husband, Douglas, of Boise, and Molly Ann Hoffer Kallenberger and husband, Prent, of Lafayette, Louisiana; her grandchildren: Quinn Bagley of Boise; Keelia Bagley of McCall; Caitlin Kallenberger Gossen and husband, Montgomery, of Lafayette, Louisiana; and Maxwell Kallenberger and wife, Fallon Foti Kallenberger of Monroe, Louisiana; her great-grandsons: Ricky James Atseff of Boise and Wells Lawrence Kallenberger of Monroe, Louisiana; sister-in-law, Gail Flynn McGinn, of Kirkland, Washington; brother-in-law, Roger Foley, of Whidbey Island, Washington; and all of her “favorite” nieces and nephews who she absolutely adored; and her rescue kitty, Hello. Lil was preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Mary Jo Williams and Sally Elizabeth Foley, and brother, Charles Augustus “Charlie” McGinn III.
Lil and LaVere are life-long Catholics and have remained devoted to their faith throughout their lives. They were active members of St. Mark’s Catholic Church until a recent move to assisted living. Lil was a joyful member of St. Mark’s Red Hat Ladies, and formerly the Treasure Valley Medical Records Society, Weiser Garden Club, Women of the Elks and co-chair to numerous fundraising auctions for the Weiser Senior Citizens Center. In addition to knitting, Lil loved baking pies from scratch, tending her flower garden, collecting seashells and gemstones, antiquing, playing Uno (by “the” rules!) and trivia, reading, traveling, and spending time at their former homes in San Carlos, Mexico and Donnelly.
The family wishes to extend our deepest appreciation to the wonderful staff at Touchmark/Elkhorn Assisted Living Facility, Keystone Health, and St. Luke’s Hospice and to the amazing caregivers and staff at BrightStar Care Boise and Touchmark Home Health & Home Care.
A Catholic memorial mass and graveside interment at Dry Creek Cemetery will be held in the future. Remembrances may be left for the family on Lil’s webpage at www.AccentFuneral.com. Services are under the care of Accent Funeral Home and Cremation.
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