Patricia Cofer

Pat Cofer was born during the Great Depression in 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the second of three daughters born to Jessie and Golden Hatch. She almost left this world soon after her birth, as she was diagnosed with an allergy to milk, but she soon thrived on rice milk. To her dismay, this allergy returned the last 15 years of her life, diminishing her love for ice cream. She grew up in Bountiful, Utah, being her Dad’s “Boy,” always helping in the yard, running errands, (or walking) to the meat locker in town, picking up packages clear across town, helping with the orchard and animals, and going with her dad to his favorite hangouts, listening to music together. (Her mother never learned how to drive the family car). She loved to sew and dance and longed for lessons, which she never got, but she made sure her own children would experience these.
She had many part-time summer jobs as a young girl, picking berries and fruit, tending neighborhood children; one child she cared for lived on her street with water on the brain and couldn’t lift his head. She worked at the ice-cream store and walked home in the evening; she also worked at Lee’s Café in Bountiful when she met Harold. She won a contest in her sewing class in high school, which her teacher claimed was too professional and that Pat couldn’t have made it herself. She was also voted by donation to be the attendant to the Prom queen, which she always remembered proudly.
Pat married Harold at the age of 17, and they moved to an apartment by the state capitol. After the arrival of their first child, Shauna, they moved in with Harold’s parents, Ray and Esther Ball, where she became soon pregnant with Cheri. Shortly thereafter, Harold enlisted in the army, and they moved to Oklahoma. While there, Ray had a heart attack and Harold was honorably discharged to help take care of the family restaurant, Esther’s Café, back in Salt Lake City. While already having two young children and pregnant with her third daughter, Vickey, Pat cared for Ray, who was paralyzed on his left side.
Having three children by the age of 21, Pat was an amazing daughter-in-law and mother. She learned to cook from Esther, who had run a restaurant in Leadville, CO, and then ran her own café. After raising her own children while living with Esther for 5 years, Pat moved to Sunnyside Avenue, separating temporarily from Harold, until they reunited and moved to Murray. Their new home (located east of what is now Fashion Place Mall) was fully landscaped and decorated in the first Utah Parade of Homes. Their fourth child, Jeff, was born soon after. After having three beautiful daughters, Pat had to learn the new challenge of raising a boy, which according to Jeff, “he did not always make easy for her.”
Pat was a hard worker. She always had a job and was mostly alone raising four children, as Harold was a long haul truck driver and was usually gone. Pat refinished cabinet doors, painted walls and furniture, mowed lawns, trimmed bushes, fixed cars and did everything in-between. She sewed all the costumes for her three daughters’ many years of dance lessons, and she also drove them each week to singing lessons. She managed to get Jeff to his guitar lessons and his baseball games.
Pat had a big heart, and took in various people to live with the family temporarily, including a coworker (Robin), her sister, Sandra, and later on MaryAnn Hoffman, a cousin in high school who lived with the family until she was married. Both Harold and Pat rescued many animals and shared the love of animals with their children.
After 14 years in Murray, the family moved to Holladay. Pat became the Hostess for the Fort Douglas Country Club, enjoying the hospitality with the members and the staff. Pat was fun loving and entertaining; calling Bingo was her favorite. She loved and cared for her family, home, and yard. The house was totally remodeled with her excellence in decorating.
Pat had a giving nature. No one could go to her home to visit without being offered something to eat or drink. She was an excellent cook. She always made dinner for the family and always had a dessert ready. Many friends of her children spent countless hours swimming and hanging out at the Ball household, befriending not only the children, but visiting with Pat as well. No matter who was outside swimming in their backyard, she came out with a big plate of sandwiches to feed the whole bunch. She was always vivacious and friendly, and generally interested in everyone’s life.
After her three daughters all married within 15 months, Harold was given a day run shift (not having to drive weekly on such long trips), so they transferred to Boise. Pat raised a garden and cared for not only Jeff, but horses, geese, a cow, and irrigated three acres of land. She hostessed so many family trips from her children and their children, always accommodating and without fuss. She allowed a distant cousin to live with her while he trained to become a policeman. After divorcing Harold, she worked at the Gamekeeper Restaurant and eventually married Fred Case. She helped raise his son, Donny. They stayed married for several years. In that timeframe Pat had her mother, Jessie, who had just lost her husband, come and live with her and continued to care for her for 14 years. Jessie always said “what would I have done without Pat?” Pat went to work for Hewlett-Packard as a receptionist for many years, still taking care of her mom and out of state visitors.
Pat finally moved back to Utah with Jessie, and in joining the Valley Christian Church, met the love of her life, John Cofer. They had so much quality time together. They were able travel to Yellowstone, which she loved, and Bryce Canyon. She adored the Oregon Coast and traveled there many times. She also traveled to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, which she usually enjoyed, except during a hurricane. She loved cruising the Caribbean. She and John hosted many family gatherings at their home. She always wanted to take care of everyone, always asking about how they were doing; never once missing a birthday or Christmas for all, remembering all 13 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 2 great greats. Pat’s love and care applied not only family but to in-laws and friends. She kept a huge family together creating memories of a good time with a warm smile and concern for everyone.
Patt loved all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would always coo to the grandbabies, saying “hoo-hoo”, and called her grandkids “Pootie” (even as they got older which they loved less and less). Her grandchildren always brought a big smile to her face, and she always carried Smarties candies in her purse to give to them whenever she saw them.
She worked throughout her lifetime into her 70’s. She always had a great work ethic and integrity. She was always energetic and friendly throughout those times. She will be greatly missed.
Patricia Hatch Ball-Case-Cofer, 88, passed away on April 16. 2020 in Sandy, Utah.
She is survived by her husband; John Cofer, children; Shauna (Tom) Pfaff, Cheri (Duane) Betournay, Vickey (John) Hellstrom, Jeff (Tara) Ball, 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and her dog, Sidney.
She was preceded in death by her daughter; Cheri Betournay, and sisters; Delores Bartlett and Sandra Henderson.
A staggered viewing of 10 people at a time will be held Thursday, April 23, from 6-8 pm at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary: 3115 E. 7800 S. Cottonwood Heights, UT. A graveside will be held Friday, April 24 at 2:00 pm at the same location.
A celebration of life will be held at a later time.
Service Information
Viewing April 23, 2020 at 6:00-8:00 PM
3115 E 7800 S, Cottonwood Heights





Graveside Service
April 24, 2020 at 2:00 PM
3115 E 7800 S, Cottonwood Heights