Judith A. Hoffman

Judith Arlene Walker passed away Saturday, June 13, 2026. She was born June 6, 1947, to Ariel and Evelyn Eckel Walker at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lewiston. She went home to their house in the orchards to join sister Russie and lived there most of her life.

The east orchards was a great place to grow up. There were lots of kids on the block, a corner grocery store and room to roam. Everyone played hide and seek in the summer, rode bikes and spent a lot of time outdoors.

Judy attended Orchards Grade School, Sacajawea Junior High and Lewiston High School, graduating in 1965. She had a lot of fun in high school but most of it was not actually in the high school. She cruised Lew’s, dragged Main and generally had a great time with good friends.

After graduation she went to work at Cascade Cartridge as a secretary for several years then stayed home to raise her children. She returned to work in customer service at the same company in 1981 and remained there until retirement in 2009. She worked for Cascade Cartridge, Omark, Blount and ATK and never left the office. The customer service girls had a strong bond and were some of the best friends she ever had in her life. There were holiday parties and many silly times. Halloween was always the greatest with everyone in costume. They kept in touch after retiring and met for lunch regularly.

Judy married James Sunset Hoffman on Nov. 20, 1966, and they remained married until his death in 2021. Jim was employed at Lolo Sporting Goods for more than 40 years. They had two daughters, Jill Sunset and Johnna Sue. They were good girls and were a joy to their parents.

Judy loved her family, her home and knitting. In 1976, the family moved to her girlhood home where she remained for the rest of her life. She loved decorating for holidays, especially Halloween and had an extensive collection of antiques. Family items were prized and will be passed on to the next generation. She joked that most of her stuff originally belonged to someone else.

Family gatherings were much fun and it was not unusual to have 30 or more attending. Everyone was welcome. In 1984, her sister Russie Hastings built a new home on the property and they were neighbors until her death in 2021. It was such blessing to have so many in town and the out of towners joined whenever they could. The food was delicious and there was lots of it. Judy loved to cook, especially pies and all other baked goods including lots of bread. Fourth of July was especially fun with fireworks and a water fight.

Judy learned to knit from her great aunt at age 7 and knitted regularly all her life. She also did a lot of sewing and cross stitch. She won many ribbons at local fairs and most family members have something she made for them. She sold the excess items at the Dahmen Artisan Barn in Uniontown which enabled her to buy more yarn. She had a lot.

She liked cars too, especially the classics. She bought a brand new 1966 Ford Mustang when she was 18 and had several more ‘66’s throughout the years. Her last car was a bright red VW New Beetle. She could often be seen rocketing down Bryden Canyon and shooting across the bridge on her way to Walmart. She always drove too fast. She was annoyed that now you can’t tell a BMW from a Kia. All those SUVs look the same.

Judy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Jill and Grant Haddaway and daughter Johnna Hoffman, all of Seattle, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Donna Hoffman, of Clarkston. She was predeceased by her parents Ariel and Evelyn Walker, parents-in-law Elmer and Emma Hoffman, husband Jim and sister Russie. She had nine nieces and nephews and they were a great help to her in later years. Also many great- and great-great-nieces and -nephews and was known as Auntie to all of them.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 10, at Vineland Cemetery in Clarkston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sewing and Baking Divisions of the Nez Perce County Fair.