Elna Joan Hofer

Elna Joan Larsen Hofer, a resident of Carnation, Washington, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the age of 82.

Born on February 12, 1942, in Preston, ID, Ms. Hofer was the daughter of Dale and Elna Larsen, growing up on their family farm on Bear Creek Rd just outside Preston. A graduate of Preston High School, she then attended Brigham Young University on a music scholarship, followed by studies at Utah State University. Joan nurtured her singing talent, much to her mother's delight, often performing across the valley in various congregations and shows, with her sister LaNae accompanying her on piano. An outdoor enthusiast since childhood, Joan enjoyed returning to the farm later in life to photograph and reminisce about her upbringing.

As a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joan actively participated in church activities from a young age, developing a strong faith and testimony. It was during a visit to an aunt in Ogden, Utah, that Joan met her future husband, Elliot LeRoy Robbins. The couple quickly fell for each other and were married in the Salt Lake Temple before ultimately settling in Roy, Utah, where they began their family, welcoming sons Barry LeRoy Robbins in 1965 and Daryn Elliot Robbins in 1967. They built their family home in Taylor, Utah, in 1969.

Professionally, Joan honed her administrative skills at Thicol, IRS, and eventually Hill Air Force Base, from where she retired in 1996. Joining clubs such as Toastmasters, she became an accomplished public speaker. She also pursued photography enthusiastically, winning several competitions and launching a successful home-based studio specializing in weddings, portraits, and landscapes—particularly of the Sawtooth Mountains and the Oregon/California coast. Her photography chronicled not only nature but the lives of her children and grandchildren. Her specialty was Glamour\Boudoir and makeovers.

After her divorce from LeRoy in the spring of 1980, Joan moved closer to work and eventually met and married Norman Wesley Hofer. They resided in Clearfield, where she launched her photography business and indulged in her passion for motorcycling.

In church, Joan was often the music chorister and enthusiastically engaged with youth, such as being a Ward Missionary and a Cub Scout leader. Post-retirement, she relocated to Eatonville, Washington, where she could be near her family, continuing her photography and community involvement until her eyesight waned.

2018 brought another move for Joan and Norm to Daryn's property in Carnation, Washington—an apartment built by her son Barry—ushering in years filled with family events and travels until Norman's unexpected death in 2021.

Joan's lifetime, despite physical challenges, was defined by her love for people, her conversational warmth, storytelling, and encouragement of creativity in her grandchildren.

Joan is survived by her sons Barry (and wife Candy) and Daryn; six grandchildren—Bryson (and wife Teilor), Colby (and wife Sami), Taylor, Amanda, Brenna, and Luke; and one great-grandson, Wilder Robbins. Her legacy extends to her siblings LaNae (and husband Ray) Orbin, Rodney (and wife Sharon) Larsen, Connie Nish, David (and wife Liz) Larsen, and numerous nephews and nieces.

A dual-state memorial will honor Joan; details are as follows:

Services in Washington will be conducted at 2 pm at the Carnation Ward LDS building, 32751 NE 45th St, Carnation, WA 98014. Friends may call at the Flintoff's Funeral Home, 540 E Sunset Way, Issaquah, WA 98027, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, from 2 to 4 pm and again at the church from 1 to 1:40 pm prior to the funeral Services. 

A viewing and Memorial Service in Idaho will be conducted on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 12 p.m. (noon) at the Mink Creek LDS building (Relief Society Room), 7316 N Capitol Hill Rd, Preston, ID 83263. A Graveside dedication will follow at the Mink Creek Cemetery directly behind the LDS church building.

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