Ronald Hoffart
September 22, 1941 ~ October 10, 2016
Ronald John Hoffart was born on September 22, 1941 in Rugby, ND to Joe J. and Angela Hoffart. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Rugby High School. He attended the University of North Dakota earning a Masters Degree in Accounting, while also being employed at the Business Office at UND and at his Uncle Frank’s shop in East Grand Forks.
He married his high school sweetheart, Marlene A. Aamodt, on September 5, 1964. Ron started his career in Wahpeton, ND where he was Assistant Business Manager at the State School of Science, and later was the Comptroller at Wil-Rich Manufacturing. During this time, Ron became the father of three beautiful daughters – Brenda Jo, Lisa Marie and Lori Ann.
Shortly after moving to Casselton in 1973, Ron struck out on his own and created Grouser Products, the business that he would tell people he “worked for” for the next 40 years. Although admittedly shy, he would come alive as he talked with major corporations about the products that he had designed and built. Today, Grouser metal tracks and Grouser tractor dozers blades can be found across the world. All started when one man decided to take a good product and make it the best that could be found.
Ron was a quiet, generous man. Although a man of few words, he spoke from the heart and the advice he gave made an impression on all those who were blessed to know him.
Ron passed away October 10, 2016 at age 75, at home surrounded by his family under the care of Hospice after a short, but hard fought battle with liver cancer. His smile and love will be greatly missed by his wife of 52 years, Marlene; and his daughters Brenda (Patrick) Nistler and their daughters Sara, Rachel and Katherine of Fargo; Lisa Hoffart of Fargo and Lori (Jeff) Mertens and their sons Jaxen and Adam of Eden Prairie. Ron is preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Johanna Grace Nistler.
Prayer Service: 7:00 P.M. Friday, October 14, 2016 at Nativity Catholic Church, Fargo with visitation starting at 6:00 P.M.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Nativity Catholic Church, Fargo.
Private burial at Holy Cross South Cemetery, Fargo.
In lieu of flowers, memorials would be preferred to Nativity Church for the benefit of the JPII Education Scholarship Fund or to Hospice of the Red River Valley.
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Our heartfelt sympathy to your entire family. We will cherish him in our hearts and remember the special times with him.. Love and Peace!
Marlene and Family, we are so sorry to hear the passing of Ron, so many good memories! Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Don and Judy
Ron was one of the nicest guys in our class. Am sending loving thoughts and prayers to Marlene and family.
Keith and I are so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing, he was a lovely man and we are so glad we have been neighbors . Shelley and Keith Lesteberg
Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. I personally never meet him, he sounded like a very very nice man who liked cars from what you had told me. May God sorround you/family with peace and love. Take care,Sincerly. Christine Wise, friend of Lisa
Ron was my favorite cousin. He always made me feel so good in his presence. I once again am saddened to learn that he has left this world. Saddened to learn of his terminal illness and now the inevitable has happened. Those that knew Ron as a young man and I later years as a mature man should be inspired by him and feel privileged . I know he will be rewarded in his eternal life with Our Lord. He was a wonderful person.
I am so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. He was a fine man. I only wish I would have had more time to get to really know him. Those few precious hours in AZ will be remembered always. And all of you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Marlene and family,
We are so sadened to hear of Ron’s death. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. May God sustain you through this difficult time.
My sweet cousin my prayers for you and your family he was the best guy ever
HOFFARTS,
Sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking and prayers to the family.
Lee Hartman
We are so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. It was so good to see him laughing and smiling with you all just a few weeks ago on campus. Our prayers and deep sympathy go with you all.
May the angels lead him into paradise and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Michael & Rebecca Raber
So sorry for the news of Ron’s passing from this life. May the Lord reward him with everlasting life. Will always remember his smile and generous heart. Wishing his family the best of what is to come after this time of grieving. Thanks for the memories and God bless you
Marie and Don got to know Ron after his daughter Brenda married our son Pat. Whenever we would go to Fargo to visit Pat and Brenda Ron and Marlene would come over and share a meal with us. It was always a pleasure to see them as we figured Ron to be one of the nicest and kindest gentlemen that we would ever hope to meet. We are sure that Ron is happy and enjoying being able to get to know his granddaughter Johanna whom none of us ever got to know. May God bless his family at this time
Dear Marlene & family,
I am sorry to hear the passing of Ron. My deepest sympathy to you and the entire family.
Your cousin,
Mark
Marlene, I am so very sorry to learn of your loss. Thinking of you and wishing you tons of love and comfort.
Marlene and family…. We have lost a wonderful friend who was successful, maintained integrity, fairness to all and had the wonderful gift of humility that so magnified his personality! Ron was a positive influence to all of us who called him our friend! Ron will be so missed.
You and your family will continue to be in our prayers and thoughts as you go thru this very difficult time of loss.
Jerry and Harriet Sorum
Marlene, My sincere sympathy at the loss of your husband, Ron. May you be blessed by the many happy memories you created together in your 52 years of marriage. A big hug to you! Mary Beth
Marlene, Brenda, Lisa and Lori,
Our sympathies to you all. May God bless you and your families!
Dear Brenda, Pat, and family,
Our hearts ache with you at your tender loss. Obviously his was a life well lived and well blessed. We hope you find comfort in the knowledge that he is another sweet tie to heaven for you all.
In prayer and sympathy,
Pat and Jane Indergaard and family
Mich and I have known Ron and his family, especially Lori, for nearly 25 years and have been in regular contact with him and his family over the years. Ron was kind, gentle, and generous. He helped us feel that we are a part of his family. We send our love and condolences to Marlene, Brenda and Pat and the girls, to Lisa, and especially to Lori, Jeff, Jaxen, and Adam.
Marlene and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Marlene & Family,
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Ron. He was always such a nice guy & had the kindest smile. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you.
We are so sorry for your loss. Praying for God’s peace and comfort for your family as you mourn the loss of Ron. He was a wonderful man.
Marlene, my sincere sympathies on the passing of your husband Ron. I have you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Blessings.
Marlene and Family, we are saddened to hear of Ron’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with yoi.
Arden and Annella
Dear Marlene,
When I recently heard of Ron’s illness, I looked up the quote below his picture in our 1959 class yearbook. It was about his being shy, but with a twinkle in his eye…and that is how I remember him. I know that through your deep faith, you will gather the strength to find peace. I imagine that you and Ron as a couple, and for so many years, shared a bit of heaven together right here on earth. Thinking of you and your family.
Fondly,
Maureen (McGuire) Browning
Marlene and family- So sorry to hear the news. our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Know it’s been a tough time for Ron and all of you. Sorry we can’t be at the funeral but will be with you in our thoughts on Saturday. Love, Carol Berg and Ed Volk
Marlene and family I am so sorry for your loss. You all have been so blessed by Ron’s life, his work and the wonderful man that he was. How fortunate for you all to have had this great man in your lives.
Love to you,
Marlene, we are so sad to hear about Ron. The two of you were a great team, always supportive of each other, and have been so generous to the community with your time and money. We will miss him as a neighbor and at the U of Mary dinners. We know that your strong Catholic faith will give you comfort and strength in the days ahead.
It is sad when one is taken from us but we know Ron is in a place where he will have no pain. I pray for you all in this time of your life. You will remember Ron as you go through each day. Memories of loved ones do not go away. Celebrate Ron’s life and remember that special smile.
As one of Ron”s company reps in Michigan, as I forwarded new to dealers in territory I could only say ” We have lost a great man in our industry” His family is in our prayers. Mike and Sandy Kowalczyk
To Marlene and the entire Haffart Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Ron from when I was very young and how kind he was. Although I wasn’t around him as an adult it sounds like he always remained a sweet, caring person. My heartfelt prayers go out to you.
Ronald John Hoffart will ALWAYS be remembered as a man who not only cared about others he was truly a humble servant of God, he shared his time, talents, resources with everyone he cared about and even those he didn’t know as evident by the way he and Marlene gave back to others!!!!!
Marlene,
Holding you and all your family in our hearts at this time. With love and much heartfelt prayer,
Jane and Pat I
Marlene and your family, Jim and I are so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. He was a very kind and caring man. We are blessed to have known him. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
A gentle and generous man has gone to his reward. May he be at peace in the glory of God and Marlene and all his family find consolation in their faith and comfort in their memories.
To Marlene and family we send our love and sympathy on Ron’s passing. He had a noble struggle and you were there by his side. Pray you will get some rest and recuperation now. Our best to you.
I was saddened to hear of my cousin Ron’s passing. My prayers and sympathy go out to Marlene and all her family. May you find peace in the memories and the comfort the Lord will provide.
Our deepest sympathy to your entire family. Ron was a man of many accomplishments, most of all a loving family. We pray for the Lord’s comfort and grace in this time of need.
Blessings,
Richard & Carol (Martel) Asheim
Marlene, I just saw a mass being said for Ron at All Saints and realized that he was deceased. So sorry to hear this. I know it’s a little late for condolences.
Just learned – a good man!