Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Susan "Sue" Rae Hoffmann, 70, of Wheatland, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Sanford on Broadway surrounded by her loving family.
Born November 22, 1954, in Moorhead, Minnesota, to Raymond and Lorraine (Boland) Nelson, Sue graduated from Moorhead High School in 1972. That same year, she welcomed her first son, Christopher, followed by her second son, Matthew, in 1975. In 1978, Sue met Terry Hoffmann, who would become the love of her life. They married on June 1, 1979, and made their home on a farm near Wheatland. Their family grew with the birth of their daughter Brooke in 1980 and their youngest daughter, Abbie, in 1983.
Sue's career path included working as a teaching assistant at Central Cass, followed by managing Express in West Acres Mall. She eventually found her professional home in banking, where she worked as a personal banker at Bremer Bank in Fargo for nearly twenty years.
The most meaningful chapter of Sue's life began in 2007 with the birth of her first two grandchildren, Hugo and Vance. Though they were born just two days apart and in different states, Sue—true to her loving nature—made sure she was present for both special arrivals. This marked the beginning of her most treasured role as "grandma," which quickly became her greatest joy and passion.
As her family of grandchildren grew, Sue created what became fondly known as "Grandma Camps" at the family farm. These special gatherings had few rules—though being potty trained was a requirement—and were strictly for the grandkids only. Parents were not allowed, and sometimes even grandpa found himself excluded. These camps became cherished times of fun and connection that all her grandchildren looked forward to with excitement.
Beyond her role as grandmother, Sue nurtured many passions. Her love of gardening earned her a prestigious "Master Gardener" Award from NDSU. She raised exotic chickens for many years and could often be found with a glass of wine in hand, watching them, giving them names, and talking to them as if they were old friends. Sue's love for horses brought her not only personal joy but also wonderful friendships. She also enjoyed playing the piano and taking walks in the countryside with friends.
Her faith was important to her, expressed through her service as a Sunday School Teacher and her participation in Bible Studies at St. John Lutheran Church in Embden and later at Hope Lutheran in Fargo. Her nieces and nephews knew her as a "Great" and "Awesome" Aunt who brought warmth and love to family gatherings.
Sue's kind heart, unwavering love for her family, and gentle spirit will live on as a beautiful legacy in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Sue is survived by her husband, Terry; four children and eleven grandchildren, Christopher Hoffmann of Fargo (Hugo, Hardy & Hawkin), Matthew (Sara) Hoffmann of Las Vegas, NV (Vance & Carter), Brooke (Josh) Vickerman of Woodbury, MN (Tommy, Henry, James & Jack) and Abbie Boyle of Casselton (Bobbi Jo & Brennan); her father, Raymond Nelson of Moorhead; siblings, Allen Nelson of Fargo and Sharon Deavy of West Fargo; along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Lorraine.
Visitation: Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 5 to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at West Funeral Home, Casselton, ND.
Memorial Service: Friday, March 28 at 11 AM at Hope Lutheran Church South Campus in Fargo with visitation one hour prior.
Final Resting Place: St. John Cemetery, rural Embden, ND.
Special thanks to the staff at Roger Maris Cancer Center and especially the nurses on 7th floor Sanford on Broadway.
West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center
westfuneralhome.com
Donate to Reimagine Cancer Care
Each year, thousands of patients turn to the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center for world-class care, close to home. As the region’s largest nonprofit cancer center, your support plays a key role in our ability to surround cancer patients with everything they need, from day one of their diagnosis.
Below the service information you will find a direct link to donate to Roger Maris in Fargo.
Sanford Roger Maris
Fargo ND 58102
Web: https://fargo.sanfordhealthfoundation.org/give/403835#!/donation/checkout