Obituary of Ellis Edward Hoffman

ELLIS EDWARD HOFFMAN Ellis "Lefty" Hoffman of Camas, WA, died of lung cancer on September 12, 2009. He was born in Ashley, North Dakota, on November 12, 1913, to Michael and Christina Hoffman. He was raised in the Forbes, North Dakota, area and graduated salutatorian of his high school class in 1931. As a young man, he served for nearly three years in the Civilian Conservation Corp, first in Minnesota, then in Larimore, North Dakota, where he met his future wife. After leaving the CCC, he traveled to Oregon and then to Washington. He married Rhoda Ballantine on November 12, 1938, in Vancouver, WA. He was employed at Crown Zellerbach Corporation, where he worked for 38 years, retiring in July 1977 as a shift supervisor in the steam plant. His wife Rhoda passed away in December of 1980. He was an avid bridge player and liked fishing and spending time at the Oregon and Washington coasts. Following retirement, he spent many years golfing, traveling, and enjoying his three granddaughters. In his later years, he derived much enjoyment from spending time with his two great-grandchildren. Ellis is survived by his daughter, Sandy Straub; granddaughters Lisa Straub, Mindy Straub and Traci Fraley Nelson; his great-grandchildren, Maya and Cole Fraley; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend special thanks to the nurses and caregivers at Hospice Southwest and to staff at Mountainview House Assisted Living where he spent his last few weeks. A graveside service for Ellis will be held Friday, September 18 at 2pm at Park Hill Cemetery in Vancouver, WA. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial donations can be given to Hospice Southwest @ PO Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.