Deborah Hofer

Deborah Ann Hofer died of pancreatic cancer at her home in Mountain Home surrounded by her family on June 24, 2012. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 2, 2012, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. A private family inurnment will follow the service.

Deb was born to Harold and Carolyn Kirkham on June 30, 1955, in Mountain Home. Deb was raised in Mountain Home and graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1973.

While growing up, she spent many happy hours at her grandmother Hattie Beach's acreage, where she tended to and rode horses. There were also fond memories of the times spent with her cousins Jim, Bob, Marty, Dennis and Betsy. Her father taught her to fly, and she soloed at age 16.

Deb worked at Safeway during high school and was promoted to produce manager -- a job she thought was the best job ever. There were many fun times with family and friends spent skiing at Anderson Ranch Reservoir as well as many other outings.

Deb attended Boise State University and later went to work for Pioneer Federal Credit Union. After a brief time there, she started working for Idaho Power in customer service and was there until she retired in 2004.

On Aug. 24, 1974, Deb married Tom Hofer. They lived in and raised their family in Mountain Home. Kristin was born in 1981, and Aaron was born in 1983. Her children were the joy of her life. She was a wonderful mother and housekeeper, as well as continuing to work outside the home.

Tom died unexpectedly Jan. 18, 1987. Deb raised her children in an exemplary way with the help of her close family. She owned and managed a number of real estate properties for many years. In 2005, she obtained her real estate license and sold real estate for Castle Rock Realty and subsequently for Century 21.

After a brief 12-year courtship, she married Richard Starkey on April 2, 2004. They enjoyed eight years of working, traveling and spending time with their families and their dogs, Fritz, Kramer and Hollywood. They also enjoyed hiking, skiing, playing golf, dining and lounging in Sun Valley.

Deb is survived by her husband, Dr. Richard Starkey of Mountain Home; her daughter Kristin and her husband, Joshua Darling of Springfield, Mass.; her son, Aaron Hofer of Boise; her mother Carolyn and her husband Don Kubitschek of Mountain Home; and her aunts Lorraine Foster and Deloris and her husband Frank Munsey. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Kirkham; her husband, Tom Hofer; and her uncle, Harold Beach.

Her family would like to thank Dr. William Traverso, Dr. Norman Zuckerman and the staff at Mountain States Tumor Institute. Also, thanks to Dr. Michael Koelsch and Rebecca of Accent Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mountain States Tumor Institute, Health Foundation, 190 E. Bannock, Boise, ID 83712; American Red Cross, 404 South 8th Street, Suite 232, Boise, Id 83702; or the American Heart Association, 270 South Orchard, Suite B, Boise, ID 83705.