Janis Hoffman, 72

Janis Hoffman, 72, stepped into the presence of her Saviour Feb. 25, 2023, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Janis Valri Keeney Hoffman, born in 1950 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to Walter and Miriam Keeney, was the oldest of three children. She graduated from Manheim Township High School in 1968 and went on to Indiana University of Pennsylvania and graduated as a home economics major in 1972. She met the love of her life, Sam Hoffman, the summer of 1969 and they married in 1972. In 1974 they moved to Kalispell. Eric was born in June of 1975; Greg arrived in September 1976.

She was a dental assistant for 16 years for Dr. Denny Schultz. In 1998 she began as church secretary at Bethel Baptist Church, continuing there until her death. She taught Sunday School there for 43 years and served as a pianist for many years. She greatly loved teaching children about the Bible.

Janis taught piano to many students, mostly beginners. She served as secretary of the Kalispell Area Music Teachers Association for many years. She taught at Junior Music Academy, a music school for young students, for 11 years. She also enjoyed hiking and backpacking in Montana. Many Glacier was her favorite area.

Janis is survived by Sam; their two sons, Eric (Christie) and Greg (Heidi); and 10 grandchildren, Caleb, Joseph, Samuel, Elizabeth, Lily and Lydia, near Salt Lake City, and Anna, Alli, Jacob and Owen, near Tucson, Arizona. She loved spending time with each of them, reading, going to lunch, watching movies and teaching them piano. She is also survived by her father, Walter Keeney, 95; her sister Nancy Swingler ("C"); her brother Mike (Kathy); and two nieces, Jenna Ginder and Lindsay Oehme and their families.

She loved Lake Blaine Baptist Bible Camp and did much to assist in keeping the camp running smoothly. She requested that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be given to LBBBC through their website.

A memorial service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church, in Kalispell, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 18.