Born and raised in Fargo, Marie graduated from Oak Grove in 1964. She went on to obtain a degree in nursing from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1968. John was born and raised on a farm West of Rustad, MN and graduated from Moorhead High School in 1964. From there he attended Moorhead State College where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1970. The two married in November of 1969 and found their way back to the farm. Between seeding and harvesting, John and Marie were very active in their community. John served as trustee and treasurer of their church, Hoff Lutheran. He also held several offices in Northwest Farm Managers, Agassiz Club, Red River Valley Farmers Insurance pool, and MN Wheat Council. He was treasurer of the Northern MN Synod. Marie worked at St. Ansgar Hospital for one year before taking on the full time role of being a farm wife and mother to two children. When she wasn’t driving truck, unloading grain or paying farm bills, Marie was also very active in their church and was the church organist for 17 years. John and Marie have been faithful farmers, church goers and givers. They decided to retire from farming in 2004, but continue to give. They feel as though God has blessed them abundantly, and they would like to return these blessings to him through their giving to Oak Grove.