Julie Linda Gerten Hoffman

1958 – 2013

An angel on Earth to all who knew her, our dear, darling Julie departed this life and returned to her Father in Heaven on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 6:50 pm, at the home of her dear friends Mark and Tiffany Crapo in South Jordan, Utah. With her devoted sister, Karen, at her side she succumbed to complications due to breast cancer after suffering for years in quiet silence. She is survived by her adoring husband, Scott Thomas Hoffman, and her wonderful and amazing 13 year-old son, Preston Scott Hoffman. Also surviving her are her two sisters, Lorna Greer, who resides in Alabama, and Karen Mooberry who lives in California. Julie loved her nieces and nephews as if they were her own children.  They are, Danielle Slack, Peter Spencer, Josh Spencer and Crystal Spencer Asplund. Great Nieces and nephews, Caprice and Avalon Slack, and Shane and London Asplund.

Julie was born on April 8, 1958, in Glendale, California to Marjorie Dorothy Olmstead Gerten and Peter Sylvester Gerten. Julie’s mother passed away when Julie was only ten years old, and all three girls were raised by their Father. Circumstances were such that they spent much of their formative years in and out of foster homes while their father unselfishly worked around the clock to be able to support his daughters. Now, while many people in this kind of situation could understandably grow angry and selfish, Julie and her sisters developed a true love for the important things in life, family, friends and God. Julie’s family was always her first priority and she never put anything, or anyone, ahead of them. Helping to raise them, her nieces and nephews always considered her their second mom.

Having dinner with her friends in August, 1991, in a restaurant by the name of “Miceli’s” in Hollywood, Ca., (Miceli’s is known for having singing waiters,) their waiter serenaded them with love songs and tenor arias. Little did she realize at the time that this waiter would later become her husband, Scott Hoffman. Their relationship grew slowly over the course of the next few years with him growing more, and more smitten with this earthly angel. Finally, on October 4^th, 1995, Scott proposed to Julie at the Martine Inn in Monterrey, California, and she forever blessed him by saying “yes”. Scott considers this the best word he has ever heard. Julie married Scott on May 25^th, 1996, in Calabasas, California. They then moved to Utah, and eventually settled in West Jordan. They were sealed in the Salt Lake, LDS temple on August 5^th, 1998.

After having numerous miscarriages, when Julie was 42 years old, God blessed her with Preston Scott Hoffman, her son and greatest joy. Although she was never blessed with any more children, she never would complain as she loved Preston as much as she could have loved 100 more.

Anyone who knew her would tell you that Julie’s greatest talent would be that of making friends. People instantly loved her and her influence has changed the lives and hearts of hundreds. Her devotion to her friends was unbounded. She was well known for her unselfish devotion to service and would often give up all her time to help a friend, or even a stranger, There are literally dozens of women who consider Julie to be their “best friend”. Scott’s mother once told her that she had decided that no girl would ever be good enough in her eyes for her son,… until she met Julie.

A devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she thanked God daily for the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of her Savior, she knew that her family will be forever, and that she will see us all again. Her husband considers himself to be the “luckiest man alive” as he may have a seemingly long wait to see her again, but when he does he knows that he will be with her for “time and all eternity”.

Loving thanks to her sister, Karen, for so unselfishly leaving her home in California to spend the last two months with Julie, never leaving her side. A more devoted and loving sister there never was. Others may claim this, but Karen was truly her “best friend”.

Also, endless thanks to Mark and Tiffany Crapo, who opened their home to Julie and a seemingly endless stream of Julie’s friends and relatives, and never once seemed to mind. These are the type of friends that Julie inspired.

Services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, June 29, 2013 with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am at the LDS Stake Center located at 8950 south, 1300 west in West Jordan, Utah. Interment will be at “Elysian Burial Gardens” in Murray, Utah.

Because Julie always felt that her greatest and most important work was her family, especially her son, she always told her husband that instead of flowers she felt that a greater tribute to her would be for those who could to contribute to aid in the raising and care of Preston. So, a memorial fund has been set up in her name at America First Credit Union. In lieu of flowers, please donate the money you would have spent on flowers to the “Julie L Hoffman Memorial Fund”. Money donated will be used to offset the cost of the funeral, and then to aid in Preston’s future by setting up a mission/college fund, as well as his current care and education. Those who wish to do so may contact any America First Credit Union. Tell them that you wish to contribute to the “Julie L. Hoffman Memorial Fund”, and give them the account number: 9060641.

Her passing has left an enormous hole in all our hearts, but through the loving grace of our Savior, we will be with her again.