Carol Ruth Hoffman Obituary (2024)

Carol "Auntie" Ruth Hoffman, age 80, was a daughter, a sister, a loving Auntie, a devoted best friend, and a fun-loving cousin. Carol went peacefully in her sleep on April 1st, 2024, at Prestige Acute Rehab Center in Ellensburg WA. She spent Easter afternoon with her dear friend Iris Rominger, eating her favorite treat, Peeps. It was a good day! She was born December 3rd, 1943, and was blessed to be adopted on February 14, 1944, by Elsie & Frank Hoffman in Ellensburg, Washington. Carol was fortunate to be able to grow up having a relationship with both biological and adopted relatives. She graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1962. After high school Carol worked at Webster's BBQ, moved to Seattle with "the girls" to attend classes for a year and returned to work at the BBQ. At the end of 1965 Carol was stricken with a disabling illness from which she had to relearn to walk and regain her sight. Her recovery took a number of years but she soldiered on. In 1977 Carol returned to college. After that she was employed by the Kittitas County Action Council (now known as Hope Source) for seven years. Her work there laid the foundation for continued public service. In 1985 she was appointed to the position of Kittitas County Clerk and later elected to that position for the next 17 years. For many years Carol served on the KCAC Board, Kittitas County Housing Authority Board and Independent Lifestyle Board. She was a long-time member of the Kittitas County Democratic Central Committee and Rotary Ellensburg Downtown. "Auntie" Carol loved life, her family and friends and everything Ellensburg. She was always up for a new adventure and lived each day to the fullest. She had the best sense of humor and was always ready with a joke or trick up her sleeve. She enjoyed traveling and shopping, as well as a good old night out at the Thunderbird. The Rodeo was her absolute favorite weekend of the year. She never wanted to miss out on all the fun to be had. She was blessed to have the love of 2 families, one blood and one she adopted. Her lifelong "partners and sisters in crime" Iris Rominger and Collette Henage Matheson were happy to share their families and Carol quickly became Auntie to anyone and everyone who knew her. Some even called her Uncle Carol. Carol is preceded in death by her parents Elsie & Frank Hoffman of Ellensburg, WA. Beloved Collette Henage Matheson, Aunt Velma Pekarek, Sister Beverly Charles, Sister Linda Webb. She is survived by a loving network of cousins to include Karyn McLean, Alton (Janet) Gunnoe, Don Gray, Betty (Jim) Falk and her dear friend Iris Rominger. She also leaves behind her beloved Tammy and Ray Agnew family and other very special, nieces, nephews, and beloved and devoted friends, all of whom have now an empty spot in their hearts where her smile used to shine, her lively personality used to twinkle, and her cheeky disposition used to keep us all on our toes. A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date. Carol will be laid to rest at I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Brookside Funeral Home is handling details and arrangements for the family. Condolences can be left at www.brookside funeral.com. Sweet Auntie, how fitting you would leave us on April Fools Day. Our hearts are shattered to think we will have to wait until we meet again to be on the other side of one of your silly tricks. There will never be anyone quite like you so Rest in Peace and free of pain. Love you FOREVER! oxoxoxoxox www.brooksidefuneral.com