Mary Jo A. Hoffman

SIOUX CITY -- Mary Jo Hoffman, 44, passed on to heaven on July 31, 2009, having lived life well and faithfully. She leaves a timeless legacy of faith and love for family and friends. Her words were like thunder because her life was like lightning.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2009 at Heartland Community Baptist Church, 3601 Country Club Blvd., Sioux City, with the Rev. Gene Stockton officiating. A luncheon will follow the memorial service. Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Visitation with the family will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Born in Centerville, Iowa, on April 5, 1965, Mary Jo was a precocious student and musician, graduating as class salutatorian from Chariton (Iowa) High School in 1983. She adored her family and friends.

She received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1987, graduating with high honors. During a distinguished career, she put her faith in action through teaching and public service. She worked on Capitol Hill for many years, serving proudly on the staff of Senator Chuck Grassley. She also earned a master of arts degree from George Mason University in Arlington, Va.

While living in Virginia and attending First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Mary Jo (Archibold) met and married Brent Hoffman. She joined Brent on military assignments in Greece and at the Pentagon. Their children, Silas and Lydia were born in 2000 and 2002, and she promptly set all career plans and ambitions aside. In 2004, they returned to their native Iowa and Sioux City. Though she maintained interests in fundraising and community service, she was a mother who put her family's needs first and foremost. She enjoyed reading, music, cooking, politics, knitting and most of all, visiting with friends and family.

Though admired for her extraordinary achievements, she was beloved for her faith and kindness. She accepted Christ as her Savior and her faith in God was the driving purpose in her life. Friends describe Mary Jo as a bright shining light who lived a life pleasing to God. Her influence will not be forgotten.

Survivors include her children, Silas and Lydia; her husband, Brent; her parents, Ron and Karen Stein of Mason City, Iowa; a sister, Malinda Hilzer of Des Moines; and many other relatives, all of whom she loved and are left to cherish her memory.

She was preceded in death by her father, D.W. Archibold; and her grandparents.

A memorial has been established in the name of Mary Jo Hoffman at Heartland Community Baptist Church.