The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Doris Irene Hofeldt. 102, passed away February 2, 2024 at Sweet Memorial Nursing Home.

Doris was born to Crawford and Elizabeth Testerman, February 21, 1921 in a tarpaper shack near a town called Coburg, Montana, that was somewhere between Savoy and Turner Montana, in the county of Blaine where she joined a sister, Marguerite who was 2 years older to date. The family chores of ranching and farming made both of them strong and unique. As they learned how to milk cows, shock grain, ride horses and keep a garden. Going to school meant riding "Prince" the horse, at least 2 miles one way, first to Missouri Ridge School though the 5th grade; North Star School 6th grade; they rode double on Prince. She then attended Dodson School 7th and 8th grade; then Turner High School as a Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Years; then her family moved to the Milk River Valley 10 miles from Harlem so she attended Harlem High her senior year and graduated in 1938; thus celebrated 72 years at Harlem's All Class Reunion in 2010.

On to become an Elementary School Teacher by attending Northern Montana College in Havre, then a job to seek; first in Harlem Schools. Then out to the Bear Paws in a one room called People's Creek. Now that's where she met her husband of 65 years, Paul Walter Hofeldt, a ranch boy of a family of 7. Paul and Doris were married May 30, 1943. (Paul passed away September 10, 2008.) Now her home became the Bear's Paws surrounded by family and friends in a community making a living. Three children were born to this marriage, Karon Rose, Paulette Marie, and Dale Paul in that order you see. They all learned to share the family chores, though work often became play one would agree, herding sheep with a dog, teasing the rooster, dressing up the cats, and building a swing in the barn, who gets bored? So Doris would prepare 3 square meals a day 6, noon, and 6 was the rule. Organizations became a natural chore; 4-H was a part of life, different projects, and Doris became a 4-H leader of the Lucky Lloyada 4-H Club for over 25 years; Mountain Community Club was created to support the Lloyd School, and the Lloyada Ladies Home Dem Club was created to keep the community informed which Doris continued to be a member. The Lloyd School brought the community together, educating the youth from 1st to 8th grade. Doris shared her talents and taught the school for 6 years; she also was noted for having the most students which was 19 at one time which was almost all grade levels. Paul served on the High School Board and then Doris inherited it from him from 1995-1997. Doris was a Montana Cattlewomen also and was honored in 1999 at a state meeting for being a Charter Member "From CowBelles to CattleWomen". National Meetings took her and Paul out of state enjoying the sights with friends in the industry and enjoying the recreation of dancing!!

On retiring in Chinook and taking them away from the ranch, she took on bowling, golfing, and traveling which took them both to places of warmth, as well as visiting relatives along the way. Doris enjoyed the Red Hats Society. Paul and Doris enjoyed pinochle with their neighbors and friends; a lifetime of memories they would say.

1975 two granddaughters came, Kari Kimball and Lisa Keller-just 21 days apart. 1978 there was grandson Todd Keller. Doris and Paul attended graduations from kindergarten, high school and college; and helped celebrate marriages of the grandchildren, Kari and Glen, Lisa and John, Todd and Kristine; and also enjoyed the great grandchildren Ethan, Tyler, and Paige Murray and Emily Keller.

Doris is survived by her daughters Karon (Clint) Baertsch of Missoula, daughter Paulette (Mike) Keller of Lloyd and son Dale Hofeldt of Lloyd. Three grandchildren, Kari Kimball (Glen) Johnshoy of Lolo, Montana, Lisa Keller (John) Murray of Billings and Todd (Kristine) Keller of Green Acres, Washington. Four great grandchildren, Ethan, Tyler, and Paige Murray of Billings, Montana; and Emily Keller of Green Acres, Washington. Three step grandchildren Shane (Pam) Baertsch Shoni (Shawn) Ishler and Shaunna Bossler and 7 great grandchildren, MacKenzie Babcok, Madison Wing, Sarah Baertsch, and Kyla, Kody Kolti and Kalen Ishler. Also her sister Marguerites daughter Jean Larson. Other relatives would include family members of the Hofeldt's and the Testerman's.