Rev. Ralph Hofrenning

Ralph Hofrenning died May 31, 2016 at Villa Maria Nursing Home in Fargo, ND. Ralph was born to Rev. Bernt and Anna Hofrenning on September 4, 1921 in Max, ND. He graduated from Badger (MN) High School in 1939. After high school he participated in the Civilian Conservation Corp and attended Augsburg College. His post- secondary education was interrupted by service to his country from 1942-1945 in the US Army Air Forces, where he specialized in aircraft mechanics. After his service he graduated from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) and Luther Seminary. He became an ordained Lutheran minister in 1951. Pastor Hofrenning served as a missionary at the Sanral Mission in Assam, India. He felt called to understand the culture in order to successfully share the Gospel and thus studied the Boro and Bhutanese languages and cultures. As did other missionaries of that era, he published booklets on the languages as well as Biblical references to share with the people. His books included The First Bhutanese Grammar, On the Border of Bhutan and Norske Digt, a book of Norwegian hymns translated to English. He served Lutheran parishes in Chicago, IL; Harvey, ND; and Remer, Outing, Orr, and Viking, MN. After his retirement, he served as interim pastor to parishes in Climax, Glyndon, and Fergus Falls, MN. He married Judith Erickson on June 17, 1970 at Gol Lutheran Church in Kindred, ND. He is survived by his wife Judith and his brother, James Hofrenning of St. Paul, MN and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings Dagmar, Monrad, and Gerhard and his parents. He will be remembered for his abiding faith, his joy and love of his Norwegian heritage and the frequent twinkle in his eye. FUNERAL SERVICE: 2 PM Friday, June 3, 2016 at Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo VISITATION: one hour prior to the service in the church BURIAL: Riverside Cemetery in Fargo