Gordon James Hoffenbacker, age 90, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, in Des Moines, Washington. He was born on July 1, 1935, in Mohawk, Michigan, to William and Helen Hoffenbacker.
Gordon grew up in Butte, Montana, alongside three brothers and one sister. He attended Butte High School, where he was senior class president in 1954, before continuing his education at Pacific Lutheran University where he graduated with a degree in Political Science. It was there that he met the love of his life, Lina Taber. The two shared a devoted marriage of 67 years, building a life rooted in love, partnership, and family.
Gordon spent his professional career in finance, working for and managing several banks in the Burien, Washington area including Guaranty National Bank, Old National Bank, Sound Bank, Key Bank and Sterling Bank. Known for his honesty, integrity, and steady leadership, he earned the trust and respect of colleagues and community members alike. His commitment to service extended beyond his career; he was an active member of the Burien Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of Highline Hospital (now St. Anne Hospital) for nearly 25 years.
Gordon was an avid golfer, talented woodworker and was active in St. James Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church.
Above all, Gordon was a loving father and devoted family man. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lina; his parents, William and Helen Hoffenbacker; his brothers Hubert, Ellsworth and Bob; and his sisters Mary and June.
He is survived by his children, Laura (Joe), Greg (Colleen), and Carol; his cherished granddaughter, Esppy Rodriguez; his brother Dwight; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Gordon was an amazing man and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. But it brings comfort to know he is now reunited with his beloved Lina.
In accordance with his wishes, no service will be held at this time. Donations may be made to your favorite charity in his memory.
I remember Gordon and Lina Hoffenbaker when they lived at our retirement home a few years back. They were both very nice people and always greeted us at mealtimes with a friendly wave or hello. My condolences go out to their families.
Gordon was my second father. I grew up one house away from the Hoffenbacker’s home. He was a fun dad! He built magic props and preformed magic for us. He liked to take fun photos of us as kids. One year when it really snowed he built us an honest to God igloo! We couldn’t understand why our parents wouldn’t let us sleep in it!⛄️
I will miss he and Lina for the rest of my life. I am happy to know they are in heaven and probably visiting with my parents, their long time neighbors.
Thank you Gordon for treating me as one of your kids and most of all for giving me my best friend Laura for the last 64 years. Love you always
I had limited contact with Gordon, primarily at Schulstad family reunions over an extended period (1987-2025). However, despite the infrequency of our collaborations, I was always impressed by his intellect, his affability and his warm affection for his partner, Lina Beth. He seemed to be a very genuine man, secure in his own character and a gracious guest at our periodic family gatherings. RIP Gordon.
Gordon and Lina were my 2nd parents, they were never not in my life. I couldn’t have been any luckier to have them as neighbors growing up. They took me on many family vacations, camping at Sun Lakes and visiting family in Butte, MT. Gordon and Lina always treated me as one of their own. I miss them everyday but am glad that they are together again and hope that they are visiting with my parents.
Marlis and Johannes Lisiecki
Gordon and Lina where our wonderfull and caring neighbors for 15 plus years in Normandy Park before we moved to Lynden. It was hard to say goodbye.They came up to visit a couple of times which was wonderful. But we always stayed in touch by phone and writing.
Now they are together again smiling down at all of us. they will be missed so very much.
Gordon led by example in every way. His guidance and experience was always generously shared. As the Board Chair of Highline Medical Center, Gordon always demonstrated the highest integrity and served as a valuable mentor for me.
I will always value the support I received from him. It was always a pleasure to see the deep relationship between Lina and Gordon.
Rest in peace,
Mark Benedum
Rest in peace with Lina your, lovely bride♡ Your accomplishments here on earth were many and was outstanding in all aspects of your life! Life well lived Gordon.
I have hesitated to make my comments as I have so many memories of Gordon and Lina that is is difficult to summarize them. Gordon and I met in high school and quickly became best friends. In early 1953 one of our classmates told us of the opportunity to have a free two week vacation in California. Neither of us had much money so this sounded great. We quickly joined the Marine Reserves! In the spring we were on a “flying boxcar” to the Marine base in San Diego where we mostly marched and had tear gas experiences. The next week we went to a nearby base firing range. In September of 1953 we were promoted to the rank of Private First Class. We attended monthly meetings until we left for college. We supported each other in our goal to attend college. Pastor Dommer of Gold Hill Lutheran Church in Butte, Mt. strongly advocated for us to attend a Lutheran College. After much deliberation between us, we finally decided on Pacific Lutheran. In September of 1954 we boarded my Studebacker Convertable and headed for Tacoma. The summer of 1956 we worked at the Emma Mine in Butte where Gordon’s father was also employed. In the spring of 1957 the senior class nursing students arrived back on camput from Portland. I had a double date with Lina Taber. A few days later Gordon told me that she was in his marriage class and he found her extremely attractive. I mentioned how much fun she had been on the double date and encouraged him to ask her out. Soon they were going steady! Upon gradutation Lina took a job as a nurse at a nearby hospital. Gordon did not want to return to Butte for the summer, nor did I, so we got employment at Boeing Airpline plant in Renton. We rented a house in Seattle with 2 other classmates. Gordon and I saw little of each other as I was assigned to the early morning shift and he to the late afternoon one. Weekends he was off courting Lina of course. On March 30, 1958 they married and I was honored to serve as Best Man. They stayed in the Pacific Northwest and I left the area but over the years we kept in physical contact by coordinating our trips to Butte and college reunions as well as visiting each other as we were able. The frequent letters and cards and later the internet kept us in near constant contact. I shall always miss my dear, dear friends, Lina and Gordon. I am so furtunate to have had them in my life for all these years.
Dad was my hero. He was a real Renaissance man, who seemingly could do anything. He completely landscaped the yard, with a rockery, patio, fence and an incredibly sturdy wooden shed with a window and a cement floor. He finished the basement adding a bathroom, master bedroom, laundry/sewing room, workshop, and a rec room with a pool/ping pong table. He used to cut my hair, put on magic shows for my friends, taught us how to build an igloo, and shoot trick photography. He was a skilled athlete who taught me basketball, baseball, football, golf, ping pong, and pool (including some amazing trick shots). He liked innovative things. He was an early user of computers, and we had a folding trailer for camping trips. He put up an electronic tv antenna on the roof that was wired to our basement tv that gave us a nice channel selection long before cable was available. He was a skilled woodworker, he built a cutting board, artist bench, and Adirondack chairs for us. He also dabbled in oil painting, sculpture, and poetry.
I remember one winter we were sledding on the hill outside our house when he came out and asked if he could give it a go. Of course, we enthusiastically said yes! He grabbed the sled and held it close to his chest and took off running. We looked at each other wide-eyed, like what-the-heck?! When he got up to speed, he jumped forward with the sled, hit the ground and took off like he was shot out of a cannon! Wow, we had never seen anything like that before, it was kind of like the modern sport of skeleton, which of course we didn’t know about until decades later.
RIP Dad, we miss you but will always cherish our memories. ❤️❤️