This tribute by Larry Hoff contains information about the work of H. A. Rogers and J.C. Bailey in the 1920's.
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OBITUARY AND HISTORYRUTH AMELIA HOFF (NEE HOFFMAN)Born: April 11, 1917 – Williston, North Dakota Died: January 13, 2005 – Richmond, British Columbia Ruth was predeceased by her husband Ernest Hoff, and daughter Lorna Lackey. Ruth is survived by her son, Larry (Martha) Hoff, Tsawwassen, B.C.; daughter, Bonny (Larry) Sawyer, Naniamo, B.C.; grandchildren, Lara Mansfield, Jeremy Hoff, Jason Hoff, Nathan Hoff, Kelly Tobiason, Michele Behie, Kevin Lackey, Craig Lackey; great-grandchildren, Taylor Tobiason, Reid Tobiason, Victoria Behie, Alexandra Behie, Patrick Behie, and Joel Lackey. She is also survived by her sisters, Jennie Finney, and, Annie Strom; and, brothers, Eldon Hoffman and Harold Hoffman. |
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| Ruth Amelia Hoff (nee Hoffman) was the 7th of 11 children born to William Cyrus and Emily Blanche (nee Snook) Hoffman in Williston, North Dakota, early in the morning of April 11, 1917. She was quite tiny and had a lot of black hair. The family moved to Havre, Montana, a few months later and then to Muir, Pennsylvania, in 1918. In the spring of 1919 they moved to a homestead (320 acres) near Gladmar, Saskatchewan, where they lived in a sod house on a hill until they built a house across the road from a small lake. They moved to Radville, Saskatchewan, in August, 1935. Ruth’s father farmed for a while before being appointed secretary-treasurer of Rural Municipality No. 38. Ruth quit school after competing grade 10. Two years later she returned to school, completed grades 11 and 12 at the top of her class for which she was awarded $50. With her money she bought a horse and named him Flash. Flash was slightly crippled in one leg but was a very fast runner. On one occasion, Ruth was riding him quite fast when he decided to stop at the fence he usually jumped with ease. Ruth went flying off and went over the fence by herself. Her body was not injured, but her pride surely was. Later, when Ruth and Ernie were dating, Ernie rode Flash in local races and never lost. The Hoff and Hoffman families have a long history of connection with the Church of Christ in Canada. In the early 20’s, Ruth’s mother-in-law, Margaret Hoff (nee Ekren), married to Martin Hoff, attended a series of gospel meetings with H. A. Rogers preaching and Wilfred Orr leading singing. She was baptized and quickly converted my grandfather, Martin Hoff. When Margaret got sick and died in 1927, Lillian Torkelson came to the Hoff house several times to help cook and look after the Hoff kids while Martin was away working. When J. C. Bailey moved to Radville, his first time, he contacted Martin to start the Radville congregation. Ruth’s husband Ernest Hoff was baptized by D. H. Perkins in 1933 following one of the Summer Bible Schools. Ernest began dating Ruth Hoffman, introduced her to the church of Christ, and she was baptized by J. C. Bailey during a Radville Summer Bible School in 1937. They moved to Vancouver, B. C., in 1942 and attended the 12th & Carolina congregation. Throughout the years, J. C. Bailey visited the Hoff home several times. In the summer of 1953, Lillian Torkelson visited and convinced Ruth and Ernie to send their son Larry to Radville Christian College. A month later Trudy Orr, with Jack and Grace Cleveland, took Pamela Pady (Bond), Willodene Wedler (Courage), and Larry, with camping equipment and all their clothing, in a small Ford Counsel car, to Radville Christian College. Larry attended from 1953-54 and from 1955-58. His sister, Lorna and cousin Jim attended a few years later. |
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| Ruth first met Ernie Mertin Hoff in 1936 at the old swimming hole in Long Creek at the NE side of Radville. I’m told their eyes met and lives connected and bonded but, as both were very shy, it took some scheming by Ernie’s sister, Lillian, to arrange that first date – a movie in town. Ernie and Ruth totally enjoyed each other’s company and spent most of their time together just walking around. Ruth and Ernie were married on October 29th, 1937 in Radville, at the Hoffman home. David Bradley was the officiating minister. Ruth wore a brown satin dress and Ernie wore a charcoal gray, pinstripe suit, complete with matching vest, a dark gray tie and a white shirt. Eldon Hoffman and Annie Hoffman were their attendants. Those present included Martin Hoff, William and Blanche Hoffman, Lawrence Hoff, and Harold Hoffman. |
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| The couple first lived in a rented, two-story farmhouse about a mile west of Radville. This place was described as a nice, clean house with a well-kept yard. About a year later they moved to rent a small, modest, two-bedroom house (known as the Austin house) not far from the river and just below the Hoff family house. Larry was born on December 22, 1938 and Bonny on September 7th, 1940. Both were born in a home where the local mid-wife lived because there was no hospital. Ernie and Ruth had very little earthly goods but were very happy with life. Work was hard to find but Ernie worked on farms, on section gangs, and on odd jobs around town. Ruth worked miracles with her cooking and sewing. They always opened their home to anyone needing a place to stay. Lawrence and Helen Hoff (nee Hoffman) stayed there for a while after their marriage. Norman and Helen Hoffman (nee Hoff) stayed for a while on another occasion. Towards their last days in Radville, they moved into the Hoff family home where Ernie helped his dad and Ruth did the cooking. Ruth was always known for her delicious meals. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, peas and “melt in your mouth” fresh apple pie was one of her favorites. In October, 1942, Ernie and Ruth and their children, Larry and Bonny, packed all their worldly possessions into Ruth’s father’s (William Hoffman) car and off they drove to British Columbia (American route to Seattle and then north) to find work and a better life for the family. They stayed with Ruth’s parents, William and Blanche Hoffman, in Milner (Langley Prairie) for a few months and then moved to rent (later bought) a small, two-bedroom house in Vancouver. Lorna Mae was born on October 3rd, 1947, at Grace Hospital. Lorna was a most beautiful and likeable person who died from cancer on September 13, 1997. Ernie worked at the Burrard Shipyards, Buckerfields, Vancouver General Hospital, and Denco Dental Supplies. Ruth worked for many years at the Vancouver General Hospital.Ruth and Ernie moved to Tsawwassen, a suburb of Vancouver, in July, 1970. They were part of the founding members of the Delta church of Christ in 1982 and the first meeting was in their home. Ernie passed away on December 27th, 1983 at age 68 after several years of cancer. Ernie and Ruth were always a very close couple, going everywhere and doing everything together. They enjoyed life, their family, going to church, having people over, gardening, traveling, walking, visiting, fixing things, and just sitting or walking together. Ruth was a quiet, unassuming, hospitable, and warm person. During her lifetime, she was a faithful member of the Radville, 12th & Carolina, Oakridge, West End, and Delta Churches of Christ. She taught Sunday morning, children’s Bible classes, especially enjoyed hosting weekly Bible Studies in her home. Ruth always put her hope and trust in the Lord, in Whose mansion she has gone to stay eternally. Published in The Old Paths Archive
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