Elizabeth Jane Hoffmann

Longtime Deer Lodge resident, Elizabeth Jane (Betty) Newlon Hoffmann, died on March 11, 2020 in Bozeman, MT at the age of 96. Betty was born in Long Beach, CA on September 18, 1923. After the death of her father, Milo Newlon, she moved to Deer Lodge at the age of three with her mother, Anne, and brother, Jack.A proud descendent of Montana pioneer N.J. Bielenberg, she raised a fourth generation in the Deer Lodge Valley.Betty earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Montana State Normal College (later University of Montana--Dillon), then taught in several school districts in Montana and at the Montana State Vocational School for Girls in Helena.While working in Helena as Senate Bill Clerk for the Montana State Legislature, Betty met and married John Lawrence (Larry) Hoffmann and later gave birth to Anne and John. In 1953, she, Larry, and their children moved to Deer Lodge.Once the children were older, Betty resumed teaching and taught music in the Deer Lodge school system. She expressed her passion for choral music by founding and directing the Deer Lodge Womans Club Chorus, and directing the First Presbyterian Church Choir.Later, and until her retirement, Betty coordinated and taught graduate courses for teachers across the US and Canada with Education Through Music.As an active member of the community, Betty served on boards and committees, including the Deer Lodge Womans Club, the Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation, St. Timothys Summer Music Festival, the Powell County Hospital Auxiliary, and Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers.Betty is survived by son John Hoffmann (Deer Lodge); daughter Anne Hoffmann Johnson, grandchildren Beth Johnson and Keir (Lena) Johnson, and great-granddaughter, Isla Johnson, all of Bozeman; and nephews, nieces, and dear friends in Montana and beyond.Her parents, husband, brother and sister-in-law (Jack and Pearl Newlon), and son-in-law, Kirk Johnson, preceded her in death.Betty enlivened any gathering with her enthusiasm, optimism, and her sense of good humor. She approached all situations with integrity. These qualities created enduring friendships with people of all ages. Memorials in her name may be made to the Deer Lodge Womans Club or First Presbyterian Church in Deer Lodge.Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.