Catherine B. Hofer

 Catherine B. “Kate” Hofer, 81, Altoona, died Thursday morning at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center. 

 She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Paul and Wilhelmina (Springman) Elder. On Oct. 20, 1994, she married Kenneth J. Hofer in Winchester, Va. He preceded her in death on Jan. 3, 2020. 

 Surviving are a daughter, Christine M. Van Sickle; three sons: Paul J. Van Sickle, Richard D. Hofer and Robert J. Hofer; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Ralph J. Elder. 

 She was preceded in death by a grandson, Brock. 

 She was a 1961 graduate of Altoona High School. After high school, she attended the Altoona School of Commerce. She was an employee relations assistant at Bon Secours Holy Family Hospital, retiring in 2001. She previously worked at Proctor Silex. Catherine was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where she was a lector and a member of the Christian Mothers and Rosary Warriors.

  Catherine enjoyed painting, crocheting, reading and especially yard work and gardening.

  Friends will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at Stanley J. Krish Funeral Home Inc., 1204 17th St., Altoona. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Broad Ave. and 27th St., Altoona, Father James Dugan, celebrant. A private committal will be at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Patton. 

  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to the Central PA Humane Society or Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.