John Hoflen

John T. Hoflen, 80, Mandan, passed away May 24, 2025. A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 12:30pm at the Bismarck Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Mandan Union Cemetery.

John was born on December 21, 1944 to Theodore and Margaret (Scoville) Hoflen in Fargo, ND. He grew up in Rutland, ND and graduated from Sargent Central High School. After graduation, John joined the United States Army and proudly served his country until he retired from the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1992. He worked for ND Job Service for 25 years and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of ND for 6 years.

On August 25, 1973 John married Sharon Schneider in Mandan.

He was a great target shooter, read everything guns, loved traveling and the woods of Itasca State Park and Medora, ND. John and Sharon’s “bucket list” trip to Great Britain happened in 2014.

Teenaged John was into Boy Scouts and cars, especially drag racing with his buddies on Hwy 32 south of Forman. Big brotherly advice sent from Vietnam to his sisters included to always stand up straight and be proud of your height, and that your pants weren't too tight unless you had a dime in your pocket and you could tell which side was facing out. 

John loved his hometown of Rutland. His crackerjack memory included everyone in it over the past 80 years, to whom they were related, their birth order, claims to fame and where they are now. His favorite song was "Wings of a Dove", taught by his uncle Oscar, both of them at the top of their lungs during ride-alongs with loads of cattle and pigs to the West Fargo Stockyards.

John will be deeply missed by his wife of almost 52 years, Sharon; brothers and sisters, Andy Hoflen, Ann Hoflen, Allison Hoflen, Rob Hoflen and Jim Hoflen; sisters-in-law, Deb Theisen and Carol Schmit and many nieces, nephews and his beloved cat, Maggie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Margaret Hoflen; nephew, Zadan Hoflen; in-laws, Tony and Mary Jane Schneider and fur babies, Fred and GinGin.