Allan L Hofland, an only child, was born in Chicago. His father was a second-generation Norwegian/Swede from North Dakota and his mother was a Norwegian immigrant. At six months of age, the family moved to North Dakota due to pressures of the Great Depression. They lived on a farm near Landa, about 60 miles north of Bismarck, until he was ten years old. It was at this time that Allan was first presented with his need of a personal Savior, and he received Jesus Christ as his Lord at a week-long revival meeting at a small town in northern North Dakota. It was on the farm that he learned to help with chores, and he also attended a one-room country school with four or five schoolmates. Economic pressures again required a move, this time back to Chicago. He found that the excellent education he received in the country school prepared him well for the large Chicago schools. Grammar school and high school were completed at Smyser and Carl Schurz schools, and he went on to higher education at Wheaton College and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, completing both a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Divinity degree. Later, he earned a Master of Science in Education Degree at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.

Allan did pulpit supply and interim pastoral work over the years, and he served as assistant pastor at Gratiot Avenue Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, and as assistant pastor and Christian day school administrator at Norwood Baptist Church in Norwood, Ohio. Later he taught Bible, science,and social studies at Wheaton Academy in West Chicago, Illinois. West Chicago Community High School was where he taught science and served many years as a guidance counselor.

Having a desire to share their faith in a new way, Allan and his wife began a real estate business and ministry in 1978, opening their own private brokerage as Hofland Realty, Inc. This has been his pulpit over the years as they sought to share their faith, as well as assist clients with their housing needs. One main focus has been the management of homes for overseas missionaries. He also had a passion for restoring older homes and has remodeled countless homes in the Wheaton area over the years.

Allan has a deep love for small group ministry, and with his wife has hosted small groups in their home. He has done group leader training at different churches in the Wheaton area. Various illnesses, including an ongoing battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a blood cancer disease, caused a slowdown of pace for him. His love for his family, his community, and his Lord kept him active and thriving. His life verse was II Timothy 2:15, and he also held Philippians 2:10 near to his heart.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Hofland, three daughters, Carol (James) Gallagher of Wheaton,Joanne (Paul) Bishop of Denton, Texas and Jana Franklin of Wheaton, one son, David Hofland of Tucson, Arizona, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Ellen Hofland in 1971.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 10 to 11 at First Baptist Church of Wheaton, 1310 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187, where a memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the First Baptist Church of Wheaton.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.