Hilda Louise Hoffman died September 11, 2013 at the Juneau Pioneer Home. Hilda was born on February 20, 1921 in Marion, South Dakota. She, along with her three sisters and one brother, grew up subsistence farming, learning to work hard and make do. Her father pastored a local church which is still thriving in North Dakota where the family moved when Hilda was a child. She married her best friend's brother, local farmer, Jacob L. Hoffman, on May 22, 1941 in Munich, North Dakota. Together they attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago 1941-1944. Hilda worked as a nurse's aid at the hospital and took night classes while Jake attended school and also worked for Montgomery Ward. Following their training, they moved to Lustre, Montana and pastored a church there for nine years. In 1954 they drove to Juneau, Alaska with their three children to help run the Minfield Children's Home which was located on the Lena Loop Road 17 miles from the town of Juneau. Their fourth child was born while living there. Very shortly, Hilda and Jake moved to Auke Bay to begin Sunday school and church which became the Auke Bay Bible Church. Jake was the pastor of the church until 1963. In 1964 they held the first youth camp at Echo Cove and directed the first years of what is now Echo Ranch Bible Camp. Hilda cooked meals for the camp over a wood stove. In subsequent years they served at churches in Juneau, Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, and Metlakatla, and they ministered seven years on Prince of Whales Island holding church services, Bible studies and children's clubs. Throughout her years, Hilda led Bible studies and Sunday schools for women and children, served countless meals at camps, churches and in her home, and prayed for literally thousands of people around the world. She had a true servant's heart and cared for everyone who came across her path. Her influence is felt all over Southeast Alaska. Her family wishes to express thanks to the dedicated staff at the Juneau Pioneer Home who cared for her so lovingly in her final years. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and four siblings. She was dearly loved by so many and will be missed by family members including her children and their spouses Dellene (Stanley) Love, Paul (ChongUn) Hoffman, Verlin (Kathy) Hoffman, and Daryl (LoraLee) Hoffman; also her 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 21, at Auke Bay Bible Church at 1:00 P.M. In her memory, donations may be sent to Echo Ranch Bible Camp, P.O. Box 210608, Auke Bay, AK 99821.