Raymond Hoffman

Raymond V. Hoffman, 89, a longtime Missoula resident passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 23, 2023.

There will be visitation from 6:00-7:00pm Wednesday, December 20, at Garden City Funeral Home followed by a vigil service and recitation of the rosary at 7:00pm. There will be a Mass of the Resurrection at St. Francis Xavier Church at 10:30am Thursday followed by a reception at Reidy Hall.

Raymond was born to Valentine and Margaret (Gartner) Hoffman on January 12, 1934, in Glen Ullin, North Dakota.

He served in the US Army for two years. Ray married Frances Marie Mischel on November 23, 1957, in Glendive, Montana. Ray and Fran had three children before moving to Missoula in 1963 where they had their fourth child.

Ray spent 30 years building bridges across the state for the Montana Highway Department. After retirement, he drove a school bus for Hellgate Elementary for several years. Ray was involved in numerous groups, primarily centering around his Catholic faith. He was a longstanding parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Church. Ray had been a member of the Knights of Columbus and had an active involvement with Missoula Catholic Schools to include being the “voice of the Rams” for many years.

His hobbies, among many, was being an avid rosarian. Ray was an accredited rose judge and traveled the western states to judge various rose shows. Ray has over 150 rose bushes and showed them for 50 years. He was a member of the Missoula Rose Society and spent hours maintaining the roses at the Rose Memorial Park. He enjoyed sharing his vast knowledge with anyone who had an interest in roses.

Ray was a dedicated family man. He made it a priority to be involved with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He attended as many birthdays, graduations, weddings and holidays as possible. His family brought him joy and fulfillment and we carry that commitment forward because of the foundation he laid.

Ray is survived by his four children. Son, Shawn Hoffman of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter, Shelly Trunkle and Phil of Billings; daughter, Sherri Gunderson and Jay, also of Billings; son, Scott Hoffman and Mary of Missoula. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Maggie and Ed Kessel, of Billings. Ray is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Nicole, Rachael, Paige, Jessica, Lauren, Andrea, Skyler, Aubree, Austin, Braedon, Noah, Michael, Camryn, Hope, and Rob. He was also blessed with 14 great-grandchildren.

Ray was preceded in death by his loving wife, Frances, and sisters Pauline, Katherine, Betty, and MaryRose.

Those wishing to make a contribution in Ray’s name can do so by contributing to St. Francis Xavier Church, Missoula Catholic Schools or the Missoula Rose Society.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Garden City Funeral Home.