Bruce Hoffland

Marshall, WI - Bruce Arthur Hoffland, 76, of Marshall passed away Saturday, November 5, 2016 peacefully in his sleep, after a long illness, at his home. Bruce was born March 16, 1940, to Arthur and Dorothy (Hepp) Hoffland in Viroqua, WI. He grew up in Marshall and after graduating from Marshall High School he served in the United States Coast Guard and attended Electronics School in Chicago. He was united in marriage to Patricia Thorstad on August 10, 1968. Together they raised two children, Chris and Paige and were married 45 years when she passed away in 2013.

Bruce owned and operated Hoffland's Honey Farm. He was a beekeeper for many years raising thousands of bees on farms across the area, helping them survive Wisconsin weather by driving them to farms in southern Illinois every winter. He bottled and distributed honey in his "yellow shed" that many students from Marshall Elementary School were able to tour and learn about beekeeping and honey farming. Even after increased use of pesticides killed his bees, he continued the business by manufacturing honey sweetened dried fruit and distributing products to local retailers. Until his death, he still mentioned how he would still like to have a couple of bee hives.

Bruce lost the love of his life three years and one month to the date of his passing. They enjoyed going to polka dances, having 4th of July parties, spending time on their pontoon boat and traveling the country together from when their children were young, while their children marched Drum and Bugle Corps, and when they were empty nesters. Bruce was a history buff and Pat was a teacher, so on every trip they made time to take in some history of the country. They especially loved their trips to the Kentucky Derby and Door County.

Bruce had a love of cars and fast things since he was young. He owned a 1959 and a 1960 corvette and had his pilot's license. After marriage and becoming a parent, he shared these passions with his family by taking them to places like the Henry Ford Museum, Indianapolis 500 and Elkhart Lake; for rides in his 1926 Buick; and to the EAA Oshkosh Fly-In.

Bruce leaves behind his son Chris, daughter Paige (Greg) Rusch, grandchildren Danica Hoffland (mom Gina) and Jack Rusch, sister Patti Hensen, sister-in-laws, Donna Johnson and Darlene Thorstad, niece Jill Hensen, nephews, Tom (Carina) Hensen, Ryan (Lori Marschke) and Brad (Stacy) Johnson, great nieces Cailynn Hensen and Jenna Johnson and great nephews Devan and Tyler Johnson, and several cousins and close friends.

Bruce is preceded in death by his wife, mother and father, niece Kristi Hensen and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.

A celebration of life will be held at Nora's II, 1843 U.S. Hwy 12/18, Deerfield, on Sunday, November 27, 2016 from 2:00-5:00 p.m.

The past three years have not been the same without having mom in any of our lives. Dad's health continued to decline since she passed away and in August it became much worse. He never let the reality of how sick he was hinder his stubbornness and determination to keep fighting and we were blessed to have him in our lives as long as we did. His wishes were always to be at home. And although he spent some time in rehab and had another hospitalization since August, he was able to spend the last two weeks of his life at home as he wished.

Dad, you and mom were our first teachers. You taught me, Chris, the love cars and entrepreneurship and you taught me, Paige, the love of the environment and finding the best deal. We hope that you and mom are dancing to Frankie Yankovic again and that you are the wealthiest beekeeper in heaven. We promise to keep the memory of you and mom alive in our hearts and in our children's hearts until we meet again.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
1310 Emerald Terrace Sun Prairie
(608) 837-9054