Betty Jane (Bliss) Hoffman, 91, passed away Thursday, February 14, 2019 in Alva, OK. Born February 27, 1927, she was the youngest child of Charles Malcolm and Iva Willard (Henricks) Bliss. She walked or rode horseback to attend Mound Ridge School, which was northeast of the Bliss family's home, graduating from the 8th grade in May 1941. She then rode the school bus to attend high school in Freedom, OK and graduated in 1945. She graduated from Pavelec's Beauty Academy in Enid, OK, March 11, 1947, and worked as a cosmetologist in Woodward and Freedom.

On May 28, 1948, Betty married Virgil Everett Hoffman in Alva, OK. After their marriage, Virgil and Betty established their home on land that he bought while he was still in the Army. There they built a very successful farming/ranching operation and reared four children: Reva, Keith, Freida, and Teresa.

Betty worked right along side Virgil to care for all their livestock – cattle, horses, hogs, and chickens. They grew a large garden each year, and Betty filled the cellar shelves with jars of vegetables and fruit that she canned for use during the winter months. She also made pickles, jellies, and jams. Betty ordered at least 100 baby chicks each year, dressing and freezing most of them, but also raising some to provide eggs for the family's use and also to sell. Their milk cows provided fresh milk and cream, which was churned into butter and used in all types of delicious recipes.

Betty was an accomplished seamstress and a wonderful cook. She liked to read, especially Christian pioneer books, and she enjoyed crocheting and working crossword puzzles. She loved flowers – almost every kind and color – and watching the birds. She especially loved visiting with family and friends, and she proudly displayed photos of her 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband: Virgil on June 29, 2008; her granddaughter: Nicole Burgess Mayhew on September 4, 2015; her parents and all her siblings: Mildred Aldrich, Howard Bliss, Viola Davidson, Ethel Bennett, Chester "Pete" Bliss, Harriett Markham, Irene Welty, and Dorothy Bliss.

Betty is survived by her son: Keith (Rita) Hoffman and daughters: Reva (Mickey) Maddox, Freida (Keith) Burgess, and Teresa Beatley; ten grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law: Bob (Lois) Hoffman; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Calling times are from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, Coldwater, KS.

Celebration of a Long Life Lived Well is at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at First Christian Church, Coldwater, KS, with Rev. Dr. Carol Cook Moore presiding. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery, Coldwater, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Comanche County Fire Department, Freedom Fire Department, or Friends of the Alva Public Library in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.