Eugene Romayne ""Tiny"" Hofland

Madison -- Eugene Romayne Hofland, ""Tiny"", age 87, died peacefully, December 16, 2009, with his family wishing him Godspeed to Heaven. He was born in Stoughton, Wisconsin on June 20, 1922 to Thorris and Anna Hofland, and spent his early years there. After moving to Madison in 1930, he attended St. James Catholic School and graduated from Edgewood High School in 1940. He married the love of his life, Laurine E. Stromer, at St. James Catholic Church on November 3, 1945 and lived happily ever after in the home they built together since April 2, 1949. In 7^th grade, ""Tiny"" worked for Harry's Food Shop, delivering groceries in his bicycle basket. In 1937, on his bicycle, he delivered film throughout Madison for University Photo Shop. Between 1941-1942, ""Tiny"" worked for Diamond Grocery Store, Erby's Grocery Store, Chrislaw Agriculture Master Mix Co. and Master Feed & Seed. In 1943, during World War II, he joined Madison Kipp and made fuses for 20mm and 40mm field artillery shells. In 1943, he began working for Nabisco Brands (National Biscuit Company) and enjoyed a 41-year career as a salesman for Nabisco, retiring in 1984. In 2006, he was very proud to share some of his childhood stories and they are published in ""The Great Blue, A Journal of Student Inquiry"" along with other stories from the Greenbush. His was a willing and generous spirit, ready to help family, friends, and neighbors, in all ways. His greatest hobby was gardening, which kept him busy in the summertime, allowing time for traveling, in spring and autumn, with his heartmate. He was a self-made man and enjoyed life doing everything; if it was broken, he could fix it; if it needed to be built, he could build it. He was very proud of his two children, Richard (LuAnn) Hofland of Madison and Diane Vandiver of Bolingbrook, Illinois; and of his four grandchildren, Amanda Solis (Alejandro Solis Basurto) of Middleton, Daniel Vandiver of Japan, Sonja and Adam Vandiver of Bolingbrook, Illinois. He is survived by his loving family; his sister, Thelma Cox of Waunakee; sisters-in-law, Mary Oliva and Patricia Bemus of Madison. He is further survived by special nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Laurine, in 2001; his parents; brothers-in-law, Vito Oliva, Robert Stromer, and Edward ""Mike"" Cox; and sisters-in-law, Barbara St. Laurent. Memorial services will be held at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison on Saturday, January 2, 2010 from 12 noon until 3:00 p.m. when the family will welcome friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to a charity of choice. He will be missed forever by his children, grandchildren and all who knew him. He believed in God, was not afraid, and was ready for the mystery and surprise awaiting him. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Lawrence Ozers and Dean Clinic staff, Dr. Mark Sager and staff at UW Geriatrics Clinic, St. Mary's Hospital 8SW, the Alzheimers Association for their help and guidance, staff at Willow Pointe Memory Care in Verona, and our deepest thank you to the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare staff for their compassionate care of Eugene.

 

Your gentle face and patient smile

With sadness we recall,

You had a kindly word for each

And died beloved by all.

The voice is mute and stilled the heart

That loved us well and true,

Ah, bitter was the trial to part

From one so good as you.

You are not forgotten, loved one,

Nor will you ever be,

As long as life and memory last

We will remember thee.

We miss you now; our hearts are sore,

As time goes by, we miss you more,

Your loving smile, your gentle face,

No one can fill your vacant place.