Terril Dean Hofer

Terril (Terry) Dean Hofer of Maple Grove, Minnesota, passed away from surgical complications on July 7, 2025 at age 81. Preceded in death by his brother, Loren Hofer, he is survived by his sons, Eric and Ross Hofer (Devon), grandson Bodhi, sister Linda Curtis (Jim) and brother Gordon Hofer. He is also survived by his “bonus” siblings, Colleen (Tom) Griffith, Gayle (Kyle) Fritzberg, Gary (Jodi) Gorman and Paula (Bob) Campbell. Terry was born in 1944 in Ferney, South Dakota to Faye and Ruth Hofer. At the age of nine, he came to live with his aunt and uncle, Lola and Charles Gorman, in the Twin Cities. He eventually became a big brother to cousins, Colleen, Gayle, Gary and Paula. In 1962, Terry graduated from Columbia Heights High School. He joined the U.S. Army in 1964, serving in the Signal Corps in Thailand and Berlin, Germany. After discharge, he returned to Minnesota, working a variety of jobs using his military electronics experience. It was at one of these jobs that he met his future wife, Linda. There were two sons, many frigid hockey practices, memorable weekends filled with water sports, swimming, boating, snowmobiling, off road motorcycling (mini-biking) at a cabin Terry built on Smith Lake. He used his charming personality to start a sales career representing manufacturers of electrical components for Kierulff Electronics. After a number of years as a manufacturer’s sales rep, Terry ventured out to found Simhof Manufacturing. Over the next three decades, he grew the company into a thriving contract electronic assembly business. Terry had a great many hobbies and interests through the years, including boating, fishing, motorcycling, and his Corvette. Greatest of all these was his love of flying. He received his pilot’s license, went on to own a Piper Warrior airplane, followed by a Cessna 182, soaring the skies with glee. Upon retiring, Terry became an avid pickleball player, making a many new friends late in life. Beloved by many, he will be missed by his family, his great number of recent pickleball friends, and those lucky enough to have known him for longer. His memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of crossing his path. Services are Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Visitation at Estes Funeral Chapel in Minneapolis from 11:00 AM – 11:45, proceeding to Fort Snelling for a burial ceremony at 1:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 at the Osseo-Maple Grove American Legion Post #172 in Osseo. Donations to Heifer International preferred in lieu of flowers. “He has now slipped the bonds of Earth and gone West. We wish him Blue Skies and Tailwinds on this new journey.”

Terril Dean Hofer

June 9, 1944 - July 7, 2025