Loretta Ann Hoffman, a devoted mother, grandmother, wife, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026 at the age of 88, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on August 12, 1937 in Wheatfield, Indiana, Loretta was the youngest of eight children. Her father and mother were Charles and Anna Botts. Her family moved near Earlville, Illinois when she was five. They moved to Mendota in 1948. Her siblings from oldest to youngest included: John (Ruth) Botts, Louis (Maude/Dee) Botts, Elberta (Harold) Olsen, Lois Botts, Charles (Marilyn) Botts Jr., Everette Botts, and Lola (Charles) Burkardt. She is preceded in death by all of them except for her sister Lola who resides in Mendota.

Loretta worked at Kaiser’s Dime Store which later became Griswold’s for a few years after high school. She met her future husband at the Mendota Bowl Air since they were both on bowling leagues. Their first date was at a dance that followed the Tri-County Fair country music show. She married the love of her life, R. Wesley Hoffman from LaMoille, IL, on Dec. 4, 1960. It would have been their 65th wedding anniversary this year. Wesley passed away in Oct. 2018. She is survived by their four children: Rhonda (Patrick) Myers of Mendota, Ronald (Paula) Hoffman of Noblesville, Indiana, Karen (Lanzy) Baker of Springfield, IL, and Susan Hoffman of Mendota. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews. Loretta was a homemaker and devoted her life on the farm to raising her children and helping her husband. She loved to garden, bake (especially apple pies and apple slices), and was deeply involved in her church, The First United Methodist Church of Mendota. She taught Kindergarten Sunday School for over 25 years. She loved singing songs whenever she could at home while doing chores, in the car going to church or the store, and in church. Loretta was devoted to church and attended every Sunday when she was able, giving her children that same faith.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 at 11:15 AM at the First United Methodist Church of Mendota at 100 E. 6th St. in Mendota, IL. A visitation will be before the service from 9:00 – 11:00 AM at the church. Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church or to the donor’s choice.