Obituary | Ronald "Ron" Lee Hofland of Reeder, North Dakota | Krebsbach Funeral Service (2024)

Ronald L. Hofland, 78, of Reeder, ND, passed away on May 4, 2024. Funeral Services for Ron will be on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Reeder. Deb Molbert will officiate with burial to follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Reeder, ND. Visitation for Ron will be on Friday, May 10, 2024 from 12-9 at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel in Bowman.

Services will be live-streamed on the Reeder Lutheran Parish page

Ronald “Ron” Lee Hofland was born on July 29th, 1945, in Bowman, ND to Glenn and Dorothy (Rose) Hofland. Ron grew up on the family farm east of Reeder and attended grade school in Reeder. He received a Perfect Attendance award for Sunday school at Reeder’s Our Saviors Lutheran Church. He graduated High School from Reeder Public School in 1963. He stayed and worked on the family farm until going to work for Duane Nester in Sheldon, ND. While there, he learned to fly, sky dived, and purchased his prize possession his J-3 Cub airplane which he referred to as Old Yeller. The Old Yeller stories were told throughout all his years. Even in the last weeks of his life he was telling Old Yeller stories and wishing he could fly it again.

In October of 1972 Ron met a “Wallflower” sitting in the corner of a “gathering” and was persistent to make her his. On September 22, 1973, Ron married the love of his life and that “Wallflower” Nadeen “Deanie” Knecht in Mobridge, SD. They moved to a farm north of Reeder until later taking over the family farm Ron grew up on. They were blessed with two children: Lee and Ronell “Nellie”. They raised their two children on the same place Ron was raised while he continued to farm/ranch and work at Knife River Coal in Gascoyne, ND until its closing in 1999.

Ron had a great love for farming and ranching. His land, cattle, and sheep meant so very much to him. He was very devoted to his place and livestock up until the very end of his life. In the last few weeks of his life his goal was to get well enough to go outside and “get some work done again”. Ron had the blessing of working alongside his son Lee making him the 4th generation to run the place he loved so dearly.

Along with all his farming and ranching Ron always took time to enjoy a cup of coffee. He didn’t mind a good baked good to accompany his coffee either. Ron’s quiet demeanor was one of a kind, however he could always come up with something colorful to say. His crooked grin was a giveaway when he was up to something mischievous and is recognized by all who knew him.

Ron took great pride in his family. Ron was a kind, loving, and adoring husband and he was the best Dad a kid could ever ask for. He was patient when needed and always had a calm approach to teaching his kids a lesson when needed. He adored his three grandchildren and was the best Grandpa. He wasn’t afraid to get down on the floor and play with them or teach them a thing or two they maybe shouldn’t have known.

While Ron’s journey on earth is complete, his legacy of love, hard work, and dedication to his family, friends and lifestyle will live on through his loved ones and be remembered by all who loved him. Rest easy cowboy…..you will be missed.

Ron was proceeded in death by his parents Glenn and Dorothy Hofland, brother Brad Hofland and sister-in-law Linda Hofland, Father and Mother-in law Gus and Agnes Knecht, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years Deanie Hofland; children Lee (Amie) Hofland and Nellie (Jon) Klym. His grandchildren Tyler and Gus Hofland, and Mabel Klym. Ron is survived by his siblings; Donna (Leroy) Olson, Roberta “Bobbi” (Joe) McCoy, Neil (Trish) Hofland, and Arlan (Gayle) Hofland; sister-in-law Kaye Hofland, sister-in-law Kathy Knecht, brother-in-law Bob Knecht, sister-in-law Marsha (Mark) Zimmermann, brother-in-law Vince Knecht as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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