Obituary: Brad Hoffmockel

Bradley Lawrence Hoffmockel, 57, of Wrenshall, continued his journey Jan. 3, 2025. He died of appendiceal cancer at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth after two-plus years of following the medical plan and enjoying life, family, and friends to the fullest.

Brad was born Oct. 23, 1967, in Cloquet to Lawrence and Diane Hoffmockel. He was the youngest of three children, with two sisters whom he loved. He graduated from Wrenshall High School and then the University of Minnesota Duluth with a masters degree in social work.

He enjoyed his friends and family immensely, but he also thrived and

reenergized himself during his solo time. He loved to plan and execute intense, weeks-long hikes by himself. His favorite trails included the many sections of the Superior Hiking Trail and those in Pukaskwa Provincial Park in Canada. The Pukaskwa hike is 37 miles in primitive backcountry. Good friend Rob joined him on this hike once and lovingly dubbed it "The Death March."

Brad loved this time alone as well as meeting other campers along the way and sharing stories. Hiking is how Brad found balance and energy.

His work history almost exclusively involved working with people. He was a support staffer in two local board and lodge homes for people with mental health issues and he was a counselor and supervisor with Community Access for Disability Inclusion homes at Northwood Children's Services. As a social worker he was part of a school collaborative while working in Lake and Cook counties and finally as a social worker working with families and then supporting adults with St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services the last 24 years.

Brad will be remembered for his humor and "truisms" he used often as life guidelines. His co-workers throughout his career remember him as a wanderer, adventurer, and big-hearted.

His sons, Jarod and Lucas, were his proudest accomplishments. He was so proud of who they both have become and could leave us peacefully knowing they were men with integrity, inner strength, honor and the ability to do whatever they set their minds to. He enjoyed watching them dive into life adventures with a true desire to try it all and do well at whatever they did. Dad will be with you both always and your biggest cheerleader in life.

Brad and his wife, Kim, were soulmates, and, as a team, they accomplished many things that will live on with Brad's mark on them. They had an interesting history of best friends, spouses, parents and in the end, were the strongest team they could have been to make the last two years the absolute best we could. Brad's sister Shelley and her fiancé Mike convinced them that traveling was the best medicine. They experienced Alaska by RV, four Hawaiian Islands and several of the Caribbean and British Islands, which were healing to their souls and so memorable for all of us.

Brad loved being on the water and cherished the annual family trips to Pelican Lake, Minnesota where boating, fishing and sunbathing were the only plans. Uncle Doug and Aunt Patty's island holds many precious memories of family as well as a restful place to rejuvenate and absorb the calmness of nature. Listening to the calls of the loons, sitting by evening fires, talking with family and watching the boats go by are the ultimate, simple peace of the island.

Brad leaves behind his wife, Kimberly; sons, Jarod (Kasey) Hoffmockel and Lucas (Hailey) Hoffmockel; his mother, Diane Hoffmockel of Wrenshall; sisters Shelley (Mike Brugman) of Carlton, and Colleen (Dave Bergquist) of Carlton; aunt, Patricia Anderson; and uncle, Douglas Anderson of Barnum; mother-in-law, Judy Klein, and father-in-law Gail Klein; sister-in-law, Kristy (Doug) Reinke of Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews who were all dear to his heart. Brad was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Hoffmockel.

Brad's memory lives on as he's remembered by friends and family. His last truism to be added to the list was

"A good death is its own reward. How we die matters."

He loved life. He believed we make the choice to be happy. He lived life to the best of his abilities, and he wanted everyone to celebrate his life and remember the great memories together. He's tipping his brown leather Indiana Jones hat to all of you and smiling at all the love you have shared with him.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring.

Pine Knot News, Jan. 24, 2025