In Remembrance

Bradley Lawrence Hoffmockel, age 57, of Wrenshall, Mn continued his journey January 3^rd, 2025. Brad died of appendiceal cancer in Solvay Hospice House after 2-plus years of following the medical plan and enjoying life, family and friends to the fullest in between!

Brad was born on October 23^rd, 1967, in Cloquet to Lawrence and Diane Hoffmockel. He was the youngest of three children, with two sisters who he loved. Brad graduated from Wrenshall high school and then from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a master’s 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 Pukaskwa Provincial Park in Canada, a one way in/out 37-plus mile hike in primitive backcountry. It was dubbed ‘The Death March’ by a good friend, Rob, who joined him on this ‘hike’ only once.

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

Brad will be remembered for his humor and ‘truisms’ that he used often as life guidelines. His co-workers remember him as a big hearted, a wanderer, adventurer, and someone who reframed a situation – no matter how preposterous, into something that worked best for the people involved. He was a conscientious person who wasn’t afraid of a thought-provoking conversation or the many shenanigans that he seemed to lead people into with gusto! A few that come to memory are searching for the medallion, daily coffee runs with his good buddy Paul, walking through grizzly country when the signs said not to and disappearing on his own to explore! He loved life and the experiences it gave him and if he could help someone along the way he would.

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.

Brad and his wife, Kimberly, were soul mates. They were best friends, spouses, parents and in the end, a strong team determined to make their final years the absolute best they could. Taking is sister Shelley’s advice 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 our 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 on Pelican has many precious memories of family as well as a restful place to rejuvenate and absorb the calmness of nature!

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 and father-in-law Judy and Gail Klein of St Joseph, MN; sister-in-law Kristy (Doug) Reinke of Arizona and numerous nieces and nephews that 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 can 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 with details to come.