Obituary for Juanita Hofstrom

JUANITA HOFSTROM

Juanita Yvonne (Larson) Hofstrom, 85, of Clinton, died April 29, 2023, in Clinton.

She was born Oct. 8, 1937, to Mary Ethel (Fair) Larson and Leslie Larson. Juanita graduated from North Boone High School, class of 1955. She held a Bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in Art from UW-Milwaukee. Juanita taught many students in her 40-year tenure as a teacher at the university, high school, and grade school levels. She was a brilliant weaver who was well known for her skills and teaching ability. She hosted groups from around the world at her Vavning Studio in Shopiere. She was featured in a 2015 edition of A Craftsman’s Legacy, and acted with Harrison Ford and Garry Burghoff (Radar from MASH) at the Belfry Theater.

Juanita was a good mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt. She loved kids and animals. She farmed and milked Jersey cattle, raised sheep, spun wool, and had horses. Juanita will be remembered for her intellect, kindness, love, creativity, determination and passion for her craft.

She is survived by her friend, Don Fanella; two daughters, Michele (Phil Maksymonko) Randall and Melanie (Greg) Waite; grandson, Philip Waite; granddaughter, JoAnna (Brandan) Noack; great-grandson, Bryson Noack; brother, Kim (Ruthann Foehr) Larson, nephew Keith V. Larson, and nieces, Kirsten, Katie, and Ellie Larson.

Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; sons, Matthew Hofstrom and Mark Hofstrom; an infant daughter, Mary Beth Hofstrom; parents, Mary Ethel and Leslie Larson; brothers, Keith L. Larson and Kenneth Larson, and daughter-in-law, Judy Hofstrom.

Juanita’s funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church, 23184 Bergen Rd, Poplar Grove, Illinois. Family and friends will be received on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.