Salvinus “Sal” Hoffert, of Thief River Falls, MN passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026 under the care of Hospice at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation for Salvinus will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 starting at 11:00 AM at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN.

Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:15 PM on Friday, October 9, 2026 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Craig Vasek officiating.

Burial will be at Highlanding Cemetery, Goodridge, MN.

Born during a New Year's Eve blizzard in Esmond, ND, and delivered by his grandmother, Sal began life in a humble dugout lined with stones gathered by hand from the surrounding fields. That deep connection to the rolling North Dakota prairies stayed with him his whole life. When the nearby one-room schoolhouse fell short on its official roll call, Sal enrolled a year early. Though he spoke only German when he first walked into the classroom, he quickly learned English and inspired his family to learn alongside him.

Sal launched his education career right after high school, with six weeks of training before taking over a one-room schoolhouse. When students assumed he couldn't understand their chatter in German, Sal surprised them all by teaching a lesson entirely in German, putting an immediate end to the shenanigans. Guided by a strong sense of service, he joined the Army National Guard in his early twenties, attended Flight School in Seattle, and went on to serve on the Selective Service Board for over 20 years.

While still in service, Sal began teaching in rural ND. There, he met Ann Sullivan in Adams, ND. They quickly fell in love and married soon after. From this whirlwind union, they had three children: Anastasia, David, and Rosaline.

Sal began his superintendency career in Crary, ND (3 years), and then Wimbeldon, ND (7 years). These years were filled with summer days of Sal driving around gravel roads with three young children hanging up auction signs at old elevators and cafes. Sunday mornings meant pancakes from Dad, and after church, the three children snuggled in his lap in the green vinyl recliner (which Sal upholstered) as Sal instilled a love of reading through the Sunday comics. When Ann went back to college for another degree, Sal was in charge. This meant hot dogs swimming in melted cheese, fried summer sausage and oysters. No plates needed, as straight from the pan was the best way to eat. July 4th was always celebrated, and Sal used his explosive training from his service days to show the children how to blow up ant hills and to string firecrackers together for a louder boom. In Wimbledon, Sal was a member of the volunteer Fire Department and made sure the ambulances could maneuver around the racetrack. The family spent much time on the farm in Esmond, where they visited Sal’s uncle Casmier and other relatives.

In 1976, they moved to Grygla, MN. Sal would remain Superintendent for 22 years in Grygla and 11 years in Goodridge. Each winter, regardless of snow depth, the family harvested the Christmas tree from his ‘Grygla Farm.’Sal shared his love of travel and camping with the family. From homemade campers on the back of a pickup to a car pulling a pop-up, the family traveled to visit historical locations, family, and old military buddies. They always packed sandwiches of pickle loaf meat on raisin bread. If there was a historical marker, the Hoffert vehicle stopped.

Sal was named Superintendent of the Year for District 32 (93-94) and 31 (95-96). He also received the Administration of Excellence award for Minnesota Region VIII (96). Known for his business sense and ability to balance budgets, Sal earned a reputation for financial management. He was often sought during audit season to help local school districts.

While living in Grygla, Sal served on the town council, briefly acted as mayor, and was an active member of the St. Clements parish board and Lions Club. In 1999, Sal and Ann moved to Thief River Falls, where they stayed busy earning the RSVP Ballroom Dancing Award (16), Heritage Center Volunteer of the Year (08 & 18), and the Clayton Sordahla Volunteer Award (14). Sal was a member of Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and President of Golden Pioneers. They delivered meals, organized dances, worked in the kitchen, and helped whenever needed. His commitment to his wife was evident in their shared activities, including 19 years of attending Ann’s music programs at the Greenleaf, where he built many friendships. During this time, they became world travelers as they visited all of the continents - except Antarctica.

Sal was well known as a storyteller and for his stubborn German ability never to give up or back down if he felt what he was doing was right and for the best of others. This carried through with him to his last days.

Sal Hoffert leaves behind his wife, Ann, his furry companions Koda and Chucky, his daughters Annie (Jim) Cole and their daughters Linda (Caleb) Quinn, Tati (Lane) Cole, Francie (Nate) Pahl, and Rosaline (Shawn) Groven and their children Ben (Trystan), Sherman (great-grandson) and Lyra (great-granddaughter) Groven, Katerina (Tyler) Groven, Nicholas (Karly) Groven, Sebastian (Harlow) and Theodore Groven, Kyla Butcher and great-grandsons Ambrose and Atticux and great-granddaughters Athena and Asa. His brother-in-law, “Wild Bill,” and sisters-in-law Mary Sullivan and Nancy Hoffert; nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son David; parents Jacob and Katherina Hoffert; brothers Othmar and Daniel Hoffert; and in-laws William K. and Genevieve Sullivan.

“We shall rise again on the last day, with the faithful rich and poor.

Coming to the house of Lord Jesus, we shall find an open door.

At the door there to greet us, martyrs, angels and saints.

Everyone in our family, everyone freed from their chains.”