Patricia Hoffland

MARSHALL - Patricia "Pat" Ann Hoffland, 68, of Marshall passed away on October 5, 2013 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg. After a valiant fight with breast cancer in 1998, Pat's battle resumed in April 2011 with Stage 4 breast cancer that had metastasized to her lungs and liver. Her strong will to live, positive attitude and the love of family and friends carried her through 2 � years, and 4 different types of chemotherapy. Metastatic breast cancer and its relentless assault on her body never overcame her indomitable spirit and love of life. She celebrated her fight against breast cancer by walking in the Susan G. Komen Madison Race for the Cure for 15 years.

Pat was born on August 12, 1945, to Lorraine and Howard Thorstad in Fort Atkinson. The oldest of 3 girls, Pat grew up in Deerfield, WI. After graduating from Deerfield High School and attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Pat began teaching elementary education in Cross Plains, Sun Prairie and Deerfield. She married Bruce Hoffland on August 10, 1968 at Deerfield Lutheran Church. Married for 45 years, Pat and Bruce raised their two children, Chris and Paige, in Marshall. There, she was a substitute teacher for many years while her children were young. She later worked at the main post office in Madison and retired after 25 years of employment.

Pat had numerous lasting friendships from high school, college and the post office that she treasured. She loved traveling throughout the years with her husband, especially to Door County and the Kentucky Derby. She was a fan of drum and bugle corps and enjoyed traveling across the country to watch her children perform. Pat loved decorating her home for the holidays, musicals, her flower gardens, and most importantly spending time with her grandchildren. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, and laughter will never be forgotten.

Pat leaves behind her husband Bruce; son Chris; daughter Paige (Greg) Rusch; grandchildren Danica Hoffland (mom Gina) and Jack Rusch; sisters Donna Johnson and Darlene Thorstad; mother in-law Dorothy Hoffland; sister-in-law Patti Hensen; niece Jill Hensen; nephews Tom (fianc� Carina Tabeira Ghuisolfi) Hensen, Ryan Johnson (Lori Marschke) and Brad (Stacy) Johnson; great nieces Cailynn Hensen and Jenna Johnson; great nephews Devan and Tyler Johnson.; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pat was preceded in death by her mother and father, her niece Kristi Hensen and her brother-in-law Jerry Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Deerfield Lutheran Church, 206 S. Main St., on Thursday, October 10, 2013 with Reverend Larry Sexe officiating. A visitation will begin one hour prior to service.

Memorials may be made in memory of Pat Hoffland to Susan G. Komen, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, or the American Cancer Society.

Mom, your strength and bravery to never give up on this 15 year battle against breast cancer has been inspiration to every life that you have touched. We love you and will miss you more than you will ever know, but we promise to keep you alive in the hearts of Danica and Jack every day. You'll never walk alone.


Cress-Deerfield