Services for Rene Allan Hofstad
Mon, 01/23/2023 - 11:30am
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Rene Allan Hofstad, 75, of Bemidji, MN died Thursday, January 19, 2023 at his home.
Rene was born September 4, 1947, in Thief River Falls, MN, to the late Paul and Gladys (Gunderson) Hofstad. He grew up on the farm his grandparents homesteaded in Equality Township in Red Lake County. Rene was baptized and confirmed at Clearwater Lutheran Church, and he graduated from Oklee High School in 1965. While growing up on the farm and working hard during the week, the Hofstad and Gunderson families usually picnicked or traveled on the weekend - spending time together as a family was sacred and something that Rene continued throughout his life.
During the summers in high school and college, Rene worked on the Ted & Diana Burfield ranch in Montana. For the rest of his life, Montana and the mountains were some of his favorite places to be. While attending Bemidji State University, Rene began dating Ardis LaJambe and they married on July 26th, 1969, in Oklee, MN.
In 1970, Rene and Ardis moved to Mankato, MN, where he taught phy-ed for three years. However, in 1974, when wheat prices went up to five dollars, Rene and family moved back up to Oklee where he farmed with his dad and brother Gayle. Rene and Ardis built a home in Oklee and were active members in the community. Rene served as the president of the Oklee Elevator, taught confirmation at Zion Lutheran Church, substitute taught at Oklee School, was a member of the Minnesota Wheat Growers Association, represented Red Lake County for King Agassiz, and served on Oklee City Council and the Zion Lutheran Church board.
In 1998 Rene began working as a sales representative at Erskine Manufacturing in Erskine. He wore many hats while working in Erskine and valued his time and his coworkers. He retired from Erskine and farming in 2013.
Living on the lake was always a dream, so in 2010, Rene and Ardis moved to Lake Movil in Bemidji. Over the years they made their home a place for family and friends to visit. There were very few weekends where Rene wasn’t out giving rides on the pontoon, pulling grandkids on skis and tubes, or cruising across the lake on snowmobiles. In having so many toys, something was always bound to break down. He could fix nearly anything…and had plenty of practice doing so.
Over the years, Rene and Ardis traveled a little and a lot: the fourth of July at the lake with friends; Rowan Lake fishing and snowmobiling; annual LaJambe family reunions; family vacations all over the US and road trips with his wife Ardis; and two trips to “the homeland” of Norway to visit exchange student Øyvind Løland. Rene was always so proud of his grandchildren and loved watching the grandkids grow - he and Ardis traveled all over the state multiple times to watch each grandchild participate in sports.
Rene always tried to live his life to the fullest. In the past year, he put over 1500 miles on his snowmobile, fished up in Canada on Lake Amik with his boys and grandkids, went deer hunting in Fourtown with his family, and spent Christmas with the family in Costa Rica. Rene was a master of directions…a guy was never lost when they were with him.
Rene is survived by his wife, Ardis Hofstad of Bemidji, children, Benji (Lisa) Hofstad of Bemidji, Darrin (Andrea) Hofstad of Grand Rapids, and Kelli Jo (Jason) Nelson of Shakopee, grandchildren, Ashley, Bo, Halle, Caden, Liv, and Nina Hofstad, Elijah and Melayna Jo Nelson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Merlyce Lemley, brother, Gayle Hofstad, father and mother-in-law, Edmund and Doris (Riel) LaJambe, and infant son, Jeremy.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 28, 2023 at New Salem Lutheran Church in Bemidji, MN with Pastor Terry Hagensen officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 5-7 pm, with a 6:30 pm prayer service and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment will be held at a later date at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Oklee, MN.
Condolences may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.
