Arnold Vernold Hoffe

Arne passed away peacefully on January 17, surrounded by his loving family.

Arne was born on November 7, 1933, in the parlor of his Aunt Mabel’s farm near Fertile, Minnesota. He was raised on a nearby farm and graduated from Fertile High School in 1952. During high school, he played varsity football for the Fertile Falcons and earned a varsity letter.

After graduating, Arne attended Moorhead State College, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, preparing him for a lifelong career as a secondary social studies teacher. In 1956, he married Mary Lou Opperud. Together, they raised three children: Carla, born in Crookston, Minnesota; Todd, born in Breckenridge, Minnesota; and Kimberly, born in Winona, Minnesota.

Arne’s teaching career spanned more than 35 years and took him to many different places. He began teaching in Argusville, North Dakota, and later taught in Lordsburg, New Mexico, and Breckenridge, Minnesota, before the family ultimately settled in Winona, Minnesota. In 1963, Arne began teaching at the “old” Winona Senior High School on Broadway. In 1967, he moved to the new Winona Senior High School near Lake Winona—a building he especially loved for its beautiful windows overlooking the lake.

While in Winona, Arne primarily taught American History, but he also taught U.S. citizenship courses to immigrants—many from Poland—at the Winona Vocational Technical College during the 1970s. He sincerely loved working with the new U.S. citizens and found great meaning in helping them understand their new country.

Throughout his career, Arne built strong relationships with his students and was widely respected for both his teaching and his genuine care for others. Former students frequently stopped to share that he had been one of their favorite teachers at Winona Senior High School. Even after retiring in 1995, Arne remained in touch with many former students, forming lifelong friendships that reflected the lasting impact of his work.

Arne was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed following the Minnesota Vikings, but was especially devoted to Winona Senior High School and Winona State University football, rarely missing a home game.

In 1973, Arne lost his wife, Mary Lou, to leukemia. He later married Susan Fey in 1978. Sue taught German and English at Winona Junior High School. She introduced Arne to travel, taking him to many parts of the world, including Alaska, the United Kingdom, Scotland, and the Nordic countries. After Sue passed away in 1998 from breast cancer, Arne purchased a farm near Nodine, Minnesota, hoping to return to his farming roots in retirement. One of his favorite sayings was, “You can take the man off the farm, but you can never take the farm out of the man.”

While living on the farm, Arne fully embraced farm life—gardening, enjoying walks with the dogs along the farm trails, and spending time with family and friends. Arne’s three children and their families eventually moved to the farm, where several of his grandchildren were raised. He deeply loved having his family close by and was able to live out his life surrounded by those he loved most.

Arne was a kind, loving, and generous person to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on through his family and the farm he created as a place for them to grow together.

Arne was preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Julia Hoffe; his brothers, Charles Meyers, Andrew Hoffe, and Robert Hoffe; and his brother-in-law, Roger Hanson. He is survived by his brother, James Hoffe (Linda); sisters Shirley Hanson, Joyce Nornes (Larry), and Jane Hamre (Steve); his children, Carla Holland, Todd (Lisa), and Kimberly Christensen (Carl); 10 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care and support provided by the staff at SpringBrook Extended Care in Onalaska and Gundersen Hospice, where Arne resided for the past two years. He greatly enjoyed the staff and fellow residents at SpringBrook and was comforted by having his family close by, as well as by the loving care and dedication shown by his children during that time.

A Celebration of Arne’s Life will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, 4pm-6pm at Hoff Celebration of Life Center (3480 Service Dr. Winona, MN). All are welcome to stay for a light meal beginning at 5:30pm.

Hoff Celebration of Life Center is assisting the family.