Cleo LaRue Hoff
Cleo passed away just before sunset on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at St. Peter’s Hospital from a serious case of pneumonia. She lived a very full life of 85 years.
Cleo was born to Margaret and Earnest Bauman in October of 1928. She spent her entire school years in Helena, graduating from Cathedral High in 1946. Cleo married Ralph LaRue in 1948. They had two children, Beverly and Jay. Ralph and Cleo spent many summers involved with horse racing at the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds. Ralph enjoyed team roping and participated in rodeos throughout the state. The kids kept Cleo busy with their 4H events and water skiing. The winters were spent snow skiing and snowmobiling. Ralph passed away in 1978.
In 1979 Cleo met Floyd Hoff and they enjoyed the next 34 years together. Most of those early years were spent traveling on road trips in the summer with Sug and Stella Dalin in their motor home. Winters were still spent snow skiing and snowmobiling, which she loved dearly. Cleo also loved the water and spent several years with her boat water skiing on the lakes around Helena. Monday, Wednesday and Friday was “time with the girls” at Broadwater Athletic Club. Cleo would reminisce about seeing Liberace in Las Vegas, Michael Crawford, in Phantom of the Opera in Los Angeles, climbing the iron stairs to the torch of the Statue of Liberty, standing on the top of one of the twin towers in New York City and then there was the night she and Floyd danced the night away after dinner on a boat cruise off the shores of Chicago with the city lights as the background. They loved to DANCE. There were so many places and fun trips to tell friends and family about after spending winters in Nevada or Arizona.
In 1988 Floyd, Cleo and Floyd Hoff Jr. bought the Wagner-Thennis farm on York Road and Lake Helena Dr. where they started the Fox Ridge Golf Course and subdivision. Cleo did more than her share of pulling wire and watering trees. One evening, being exhausted from picking rocks and pulling weeds, Floyd turned to Cleo and said “I think we are going to have to give this project up,” about that time the sun started to set and a flock of geese flew over head so close you could almost touch them and they took the time to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets they had ever seen. Cleo said “we have to keep going” so they did. What a Trooper!
Cleo worked at the Federal Reserve Bank for 32 years before retiring.
Cleo is survived by her two children Beverly Collings and Jay LaRue. Jay’s wife, Michelle and their family, Bev’s three children, Chris Pillatzke, his wife, Amy and their family, Adrienne and her husband, Ryan Jose, Stephanie and her husband, Matt Boudreau, two Great grandchildren, Preston and Carson Boudreau .
Cleo is also survived by her husband Floyd Hoff Sr., and his family: Sharon and Jim Soja, Floyd Hoff Jr. and Mari Kindberg, Lynn Hills and Chuck Mahoskey, Vince and Dixie Hoff and Jacqueline and Bob Haley, and their Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
At Cleo’s request there will be no services. A Celebration of Life for friends and family will be held at Fox Ridge Golf Course Supper Club on Saturday, March 15th from 2 to 5 p.m. A private family burial will follow sometime early summer at Resurrection Cemetery.
The family would like to offer thanks to the doctors and nursing staff at St. Peter’s Hospital and the Hospice Caregivers for the attention and care they provided. In lieu of flowers contributions in Cleo’s name to St. Peter’s Hospice will be greatly appreciated.
Elmer and Barb Cole says
We are so sad to read of Cleo’s passing. She was a lovely lady and a good friend.
Allen Stenhjem Family says
Sorry to here about Cleo , a
great lady will be missed by all God Bless
Allen/Glenda
Deb House Walter says
Bev and family – my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Please take care, and God bless!
Deb
Shannon Bright-Meyer says
Floyd and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Cleo, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless
JOHN MADSEN says
What a great lady. I have fond memories of spending time at Lakeside learning to water ski trips to Swan Lake and especially a weekend in White Sulfer Springs at a rodeo drinking and dancing in all the bars when i was only 17.
Tad & Stacie St.Clair says
Floyd & Family,
I was so sad and shocked to hear the news. Tad and I have so many fond memories of Cleo. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. As we see the beautiful sunsets at Fox Ridge, she will be in our memories, forever!
Lots of Love,
Stacie & Tad
Roy & Vickie Miller says
Bev and family, we were so saddened to hear about “Ma Rue’s” passing. I have so many fond memories of our growing up years, driving her crazy with our antics…may she be in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Love, Roy and Vickie
Denise & Bill says
Sr,Jr, Bev,
We we’re so sorry to hear about Cleo. She was such a fine LADY!!! Will miss seeing her at Jorgensons’s for the class of 1944 breakfast.
Love you all Denise & Bill Hayden
Charlie and Betty McCarthy says
Bev and Family:
We were saddened to learn of the loss of your wife, mother, and friend. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Charlie and Betty
SannaPorte says
So sorry to learn about Cleo. What a delightful, classy, gracious, good-humored lady. My mom is one of her Broadwater pals, and I had the pleasure of chatting with Cleo several times when I went to water aerobics with Mom. I feel very lucky I got to know her. Always upbeat with that big beautiful smile. An inspiration. My deep sympathies to the family.
April van Ekstrom says
Dear Uncle Floyd , Cousins and Family. I just heard about the lovely Cleo. She was such a kind, funny , beautiful ray of sunshine every time i was around her. She will be greatly missed Although I am unable to make the memorial, please know that my thought and prayers are with you are.
April and family.
Ryan and Kaelyn Ford says
We are so sorry to hear of Cleo’s passing. She was wonderful and will be dearly missed by many.
Matt & Mary Kunnary says
Floyd & family – Matt & I are so sorry for your loss. Cleo was such a great lady. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. God Bless.
Michelle and Wally Johnston says
We were out of town, but were so sorry to hear of Cleo’ s passing. We remember her as such a nice, great lady and just so welcoming. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jay and Bev and Floyd as well as your families.
Lisa, Theo, Taylor and Weslee Nehl says
Floyd and Family-
So very sorry about Cleo’s passing – she was a wonderful person! May your many wonderful memories help get you through this difficult time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers!
Take care and God Bless!