Gladys Hofland

Gladys Marie Hofland, 95, of Bismarck, ND, passed away on February 23, 2010 in the Baptist Home surrounded by family. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday at Bismarck Baptist Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Merle Hoots officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Gladys was born on December 25, 1914, in Plaza, ND, the daughter of Tennes and Galena Carlson. When Gladys was three years old, they moved to Antler, ND. She graduated from Antler High School in 1932. In 1934, Gladys earned her standard teacher’s certificate from Normal School, now Minot State University. She taught in country schools in North Dakota including Landa in Bottineau County, where she met Norman Hofland. Norman and Gladys were married on June 20, 1943, and made their home on a farm near Newburg, ND. They farmed and raised a family of seven children. Gladys was active in church and school activities, including teaching the kindergarten Sunday school class and serving as a 4-H leader. Gladys sewed, raised chickens, gardened, and baked the best caramel rolls ever. She encouraged her children in academic and music studies. Norman passed away on March 19, 1982. Gladys continued living on the farm during the summers, spending the winters in Bismarck. She moved to the Capitol View Estates Condominium, Bismarck, in 1990. In September, 2008, she moved to the Baptist Home. Gladys was a member of Bismarck Baptist Church. She enjoyed quilting with her good friends at Trinity Lutheran and volunteering at MedCenter One. She took advantage of travel opportunities, venturing to Egypt, the Holy Land, Germany, Norway and Alaska. She continued teaching and learning throughout her life. Family was the focus of Gladys’ life. She was known for hosting the 4th of July picnic for extended family, a tradition that has continued for 65 years, and Gladys gathered her family for a fun-filled week at a lake cabin in Minnesota for the last 25 years. Her family includes seven children: Rheta Hofland, Frankfort, Indiana; Donna Stan Engel, Bismarck; Dan Barb Hofland, Fargo; Marianne Hofland, Bismarck; Susan Hofland, Minot; Jane Marlo Sveen, Bismarck and Constance Craig Johnson Hofland, Bismarck; nine grandchildren: Michael Caddell, Chicago; Elizabeth Caddell fiancé Paul Chenoweth, Frankfort, Indiana; Susan Len Engel Searfoss, Cedar Falls, Iowa; Britt Engel, Fargo; Jill Hofland, Fargo; Adam Hofland, Fargo; Tom Sveen, Minneapolis; Billy Sveen, St. Paul; and Inga Sveen, Bismarck; and two great-grandchildren, Griffin and Ainsley Searfoss, Cedar Falls, Iowa; two brothers: Harold Bernice Carlson, Grand Forks and Lester Lillian Carlson, Minneapolis; and two sisters: Maybelle Carlson, Minneapolis and Lyla Elefson, Yakima, Washington; and many nieces and nephews. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norman; and siblings, Ernest Carlson, Hartley Carlson, Vernon Carlson and Vivian Adams.

Gladys Hofland

December 25, 1915 - February 23, 2010