Thomas Hoepfner

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Thomas "Tom" Hoepfner, 77, of Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his loving family on Monday, April 15, 2024.
Thomas Lee Hoepfner was born on February 6, 1947, in Hazen, ND, to Valentine and Ella Hoepfner. He spent his childhood on a farm outside of Hazen before relocating to Fargo, ND, where he married Debra Hofsommer and raised three daughters. Fargo became his lifelong home, and he embraced the community with his inventive spirit, abundant generosity and unwavering dedication.
Tom was a true visionary and innovator; he always said his strongest muscle was his mind. He started out as a farmer in Moorhead and continually sought creative solutions to challenges, leading to numerous business ventures and inventions. One of his notable achievements was founding Grass Pump Inc., where his patented grass catcher, pump, blower and shoot revolutionized the lawn and garden industry. His entrepreneurial journey also included ventures like Dental Duo, disposable broiler pans, tire pumps, Extreme Cycle Radio, and the RV In-Line Sanitizer.
A devoted member of First Assembly of God in Fargo, Tom found solace and community in his faith. He cherished Sundays spent with his family in their regular spot at church and with lunch together afterwards. Tom's dedication to his family was unmatched, and he instilled in them a resilient "stick-to-it-ism" mentality, encouraging them to pursue their dreams fearlessly and to never take "no" for an answer. You could count on Tom for absolutely anything; reliability was his hallmark.
Cooking was one of Tom's greatest joys, and he delighted in preparing meals for his loved ones. He perfected numerous recipes, including pigs-in-a-blanket, fleischkuekle, borscht soup, chicken tikka masala, and homemade ice cream with chocolate sauce. His culinary creations brought happiness and togetherness to family gatherings.
Tom's adventurous spirit extended to his love for travel. He undertook countless cross-country road trips, visiting every one of the 48 continental states with his family. His passion for travel persisted as he continued to explore in his RV and Harley Davidsons throughout the later years of his life. International travel also held a special place in his heart, fostering a deep appreciation for different foods, cultures and experiences which he shared with his family.
A skilled craftsman, Tom could often be found tinkering in his workshop, building things and creating new projects. He was the mastermind behind the Float Mobile food trucks, where he delighted festival-goers with old-fashioned root beer floats and hot dogs. Tom's passion for music was infectious, and his daughters will forever cherish memories of his music mixes featuring Roy Orbison, Neil Diamond and the Traveling Wilburys, amongst many others, and attending concerts together.
Tom is survived by his three daughters, Mandii (Matt) Sturlaugson of West Fargo, ND, Melissa (Andre) Chaves of Newport Coast, CA, and Amber (Ryan) Back of Waconia, MN; his seven beloved grandchildren, Kayli, Carson, and Gabriella Sturlaugson, Nicolas Chaves, Elizabeth, Natalie, and Adeline Back; his siblings, Mary Galster and Jim Hoepfner; many nieces and nephews and his assistant Jackie who he considered family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Valentine and Ella, and his siblings, Jo Ann Schwengler and Gene Hoepfner.
Visitation will be held at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, 215 7th St S, Fargo, on Friday, April 19, at 1:00 pm with funeral services following at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation [https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/ThomasHoepfner]. Public thanks are extended to Meals-on-Wheels, whose regular visits brought joy to Tom in his final months. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.hansonrunsvold.com.
Tom's legacy of innovation, generosity, determination, and love will continue to inspire all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever loved by his family.